Radio Pulsar Sub-Populations (II) : The Mysterious RRATs

TL;DR

This paper investigates the nature of RRATs, a neutron star subclass, finding they are likely a distinct evolutionary phase with unique emission properties, not directly related to nulling pulsars or aging effects.

Contribution

It provides new insights into RRATs, suggesting they are a separate evolutionary stage of neutron stars with distinct magnetic field restructuring.

Findings

RRATs are statistically uncorrelated with nulling pulsars.

RRAT phenomenon is unlikely related to old age or proximity to death-line.

RRATs may represent a later evolutionary phase of neutron stars.

Abstract

Several conjectures have been put forward to explain the RRATs, the newest subclass of neutron stars, and their connections to other radio pulsars. This work discusses these conjectures in the context of the characteristic properties of the RRAT population. Contrary to expectations, it is seen that - a) the RRAT population is statistically un-correlated with the nulling pulsars, and b) the RRAT phenomenon is unlikely to be related to old age or death-line proximity. It is perhaps more likely that the special emission property of RRATs is a signature of them being later evolutionary phases of other types of neutron stars which may have resulted in restructuring of the magnetic fields.