Detection of Cyclotron Absorption in the Radio Emission of GPM 1839-10

TL;DR

This paper reports the detection of cyclotron absorption in the radio emission of GPM 1839-10, providing insights into its magnetic environment and suggesting the presence of a weakly magnetized companion star.

Contribution

First observation of cyclotron absorption in GPM 1839-10's radio pulses, revealing magnetic field constraints and supporting a binary system scenario.

Findings

Cyclotron absorption feature detected in one radio pulse.

Magnetic field at absorption site estimated to be at least tens of Gauss.

Stable Rotation Measures suggest a consistent magneto-ionic environment.

Abstract

GPM 1839-10 is an intriguing long-period radio transient (LPT), distinguished by its activity spanning at least three decades and its highly unusual emission characteristics. These features include orthogonal polarization mode (OPM) switches, down-drifting sub-structures, and distinct linear-to-circular polarization conversion behaviors. In this work, we present follow-up observations utilizing the FAST telescope at L-band, yielding a total of seven detected radio pulses. We find a consistent association between OPM switches and a decrease in polarized intensity. This feature strongly supports the hypothesis that the OPM switches are generated by the incoherent summation of OPMs. Our measured Rotation Measures (RMs) are consistent with previous observations, indicating that the magneto-ionic environment is stable. If the source is in a binary system, such stability suggests it may host a weakly magnetized companion. Crucially, we firstly observe clear evidence of a cyclotron absorption feature in one radio pulse, a signature rarely observed in radio sources. This feature allows us to infer that the magnetic field strength at the absorption site has a lower limit of tens of Gauss, which is necessary for the phenomenon to occur. This characteristic can be explained in a scenario where GPM 1839-10 possesses a weakly magnetized companion star.