An Image-Based Search for Pulsar Candidates in the MeerKAT Bulge Survey
Dale A. Frail, Emil Polisensky, Scott D. Hyman, W. M. Cotton, Namir E., Kassim, Michele L. Silverstein, Rahul Sengar, David L. Kaplan, Francesca, Calore, Joanna Berteaud, Maica Clavel, Marisa Geyer, Samuel Legodi, Vasaant, Krishnan, Sarah Buchner, and Fernando Camilo

TL;DR
This study employs an advanced image-based approach using MeerKAT radio telescope data to identify pulsar candidates in the Galactic bulge, leveraging polarization and spectral criteria to improve detection sensitivity and candidate selection.
Contribution
It introduces a novel, highly sensitive polarization-based search method for pulsar candidates in the Galactic bulge using MeerKAT mosaic images, expanding the potential for pulsar discovery.
Findings
Identified 75 polarized pulsar candidates in the Galactic bulge.
Demonstrated the effectiveness of polarization criteria in pulsar candidate selection.
Highlighted 30 promising candidates for pulsation follow-up observations.
Abstract
We report on the results of an image-based search for pulsar candidates toward the Galactic bulge. We used mosaic images from the MeerKAT radio telescope, that were taken as part of a 173 deg**2 survey of the bulge and Galactic center of our Galaxy at L band (856-1712 MHz) in all four Stokes I, Q, U and V. The image root-mean-square noise levels of 12-17 uJy/ba represent a significant increase in sensitivity over past image-based pulsar searches. Our primary search criterion was circular polarization, but we used other criteria including linear polarization, in-band spectral index, compactness, variability and multi-wavelength counterparts to select pulsar candidates. We first demonstrate the efficacy of this technique by searching for polarized emission from known pulsars, and comparing our results with measurements from the literature. Our search resulted in a sample of 75 polarized…
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Taxonomy
TopicsPulsars and Gravitational Waves Research · Astronomy and Astrophysical Research · Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
