Main and interpulse interaction in PSRs J1842+0358 and J1926+0737: evidence for interpole communication

TL;DR

This study discovers and analyzes interactions between main and interpulse emissions in two pulsars, revealing anti-correlated brightness and quasi-periodic modulation, suggesting global magnetospheric changes are common in pulsars.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed evidence of main and interpulse interaction in pulsars, indicating communication between poles or global magnetospheric changes, based on high-sensitivity observations.

Findings

Anti-correlated brightness between main and interpulse emissions.

Quasi-periodic modulation exceeding 100 pulse periods.

Evidence suggesting magnetospheric interactions are common in pulsars.

Abstract

Our understanding of the elusive radio-pulsar emission mechanism would be deepened by determining the locality of the emission. Pulsars in which the two poles interact can potentially help solve this challenge. We here report the discovery of interaction of emission between the main and the interpulse in two pulsars -- J1842+0358 and J1926+0737, based on FAST and MeerKAT data. When emission is bright in one pulse, it is dim in the other. Even when split in just 2 groups (strong versus weak) the anti-correlated brightness can change by a factor $\gtrsim$2. Both sources furthermore show the same quasi-periodic modulation from the main and interpulse, at timescales exceeding 100 pulse periods. The longitude stationary modulation from at least one pulse suggests that it is a key signature for interpulse pulsars showing main and interpulse interaction. If the interaction happens within an isolated magnetosphere, without external influences, either communication between the opposite poles is required, or global changes drive both. This detailed study of these two sources was only made possible by improved sensitivity. The fact that both show two-pole modulation strongly suggests this is a general phenomenon in interpulse pulsars. In regular pulsars only one pole is visible, and a number of these show correlated changes between the profile and spin-down rate, that are also thought to be caused by global magnetospheric changes. Our results strengthen the case that such interactive magnetospheres are common to all pulsars.