The dynamic magnetosphere of Swift J1818.0$-$1607

TL;DR

This study presents multi-frequency radio observations of the magnetar Swift J1818.0$-$1607, revealing complex temporal and polarization phenomena likely caused by magnetospheric reconfiguration, providing insights into its magnetic topology and emission mechanisms.

Contribution

First detailed spectropolarimetric analysis of Swift J1818.0$-$1607 across multiple frequencies over five months, uncovering dynamic magnetospheric phenomena and geometric configuration.

Findings

Detected profile evolution and new component emergence.

Observed mode switching and polarization mode changes.

Reversal in polarization position angle swing.

Abstract

Radio-loud magnetars display a wide variety of radio-pulse phenomenology seldom seen among the population of rotation-powered pulsars. Spectropolarimetry of the radio pulses from these objects has the potential to place constraints on their magnetic topology and unveil clues about the magnetar radio emission mechanism. Here we report on eight observations of the magnetar Swift J1818.0$-$1607 taken with the Parkes Ultra-Wideband Low receiver covering a wide frequency range from 0.7 to 4 GHz over a period of 5 months. The magnetar exhibits significant temporal profile evolution over this period, including the emergence of a new profile component with an inverted spectrum, two distinct types of radio emission mode switching, detected during two separate observations, and the appearance and disappearance of multiple polarization modes. These various phenomena are likely a result of ongoing reconfiguration of the plasma content and electric currents within the magnetosphere. Geometric fits to the linearly polarized position angle indicate we are viewing the magnetar at an angle of $\sim$99$^{\circ}$ from the spin axis, and its magnetic and rotation axes are misaligned by $\sim$112$^{\circ}$. While conducting these fits, we found the position angle swing had reversed direction on MJD 59062 compared to observations taken 15 days earlier and 12 days later. We speculate this phenomena may be evidence the radio emission from this magnetar originates from magnetic field lines associated with two co-located magnetic poles that are connected by a coronal loop.