Microglitches in radio pulsars: the role of strange nuggets

TL;DR

This paper proposes that the accretion of strange nuggets, relics of the early universe, by pulsars could explain microglitches, small sudden changes in pulsar spin frequency, expanding understanding of pulsar timing irregularities.

Contribution

It introduces a novel hypothesis that strange nugget accretion causes microglitches, linking dark matter relics to pulsar timing anomalies.

Findings

Strange nuggets can induce microglitches in pulsars.

The microglitch signature depends on nugget energy and interaction line.

Negative microglitches challenge existing glitch models.

Abstract

Strange Nuggets are believed to be among the relics of the early universe. They appear as dark matter due to their low charge-to-mass ratio. Their distribution is believed to be the same as that of dark matter. As such, they could be accreted by high magnetic field objects and their collisions with pulsars are inevitable. Pulsar glitches are commonly seen as sudden spin-ups in pulsar frequency. It is still an open debate with regard to mechanisms giving rise to such a phenomenon. However, there is a class of sudden changes in pulsar spin frequency known as microglitches. These event are characterized by sudden small change in pulsar spin frequency ($ \delta \nu/\nu \approx \pm 10^{-9}$). Clearly, the negative signature seen in some of the events is inconsistent with the known glitch mechanisms. In this analysis, we suggest that accretion of strange nuggets with pulsars could readily give rise to microglitch events. The signature of the events depends on the energy of the strange nuggets and line of interaction.