New pulse profile variability associated with a glitch of PSR J0738-4042

TL;DR

This study reports the first observed glitch in pulsar PSR J0738-4042, revealing a unique correlation between emission profile changes and spin-down rate, linked to internal neutron star processes and magnetospheric state changes.

Contribution

It identifies a new glitch event in PSR J0738-4042 and links it to emission profile variability, proposing a combined crustquake and vortex creep model for the observed phenomena.

Findings

First glitch observed in PSR J0738-4042

Post-glitch increase in braking torque over 1380 days

Significant change in pulse profile components after glitch

Abstract

The close correlation observed between emission state and spin-down rate change of pulsars has many implications both for the magnetospheric physics and the neutron star interior. The middle-aged pulsar PSR J0738$-$4042, which had been observed to display variations in the pulse profile associated with its spin-down rate change due to external effects, is a remarkable example. In this study, based on the 12.5-yr combined public timing data from UTMOST and Parkes, we have detected a new emission-rotation correlation in PSR J0738$-$4042 concurrent with a glitch. A glitch that occurred at MJD 57359(5) (December 3, 2015) with $\Delta\nu/\nu \sim 0.36(4)\times 10^{-9}$ is the first glitch event observed in this pulsar and is probably the underlying cause of the emission-rotation correlation. Unlike the usual post-glitch behaviours, the braking torque on the pulsar has continued to increase over 1380 d, corresponding to a significant decrease in $\ddot{\nu}$. As for changes in the pulse profile after the glitch, the relative amplitude of the leading component weakens drastically, while the middle component becomes stronger. A combined model of crustquake induced platelet movement and vortex creep response is invoked to account for this rare correlation. In this scenario, magnetospheric state-change is naturally linked to the pulsar-intrinsic processes that give rise to a glitch.