Changes in Emission Properties Associated with the Emission Shifts in PSR J0344−0901

Abstract

We investigate changes in the emission properties in association with the emission shifts observed in PSR J0344−0901 and their implications for the underlying emission mechanism. By decomposing the averaged pulse profile into multiple Gaussian components, the observed emission shift can be modeled through the variation in the peak phase of each component in relation to the plasma flow in a pulsar magnetosphere of multiple emission states based on the model by Melrose and Yuen. From the arrangements of the Gaussian components to fit the two averaged profiles, we show that the emission shift is due to (i) shifting of the Gaussian components toward later longitudinal phases and (ii) an increase in the plasma density. We show that the plasma flow is not uniform, which may be the reason for the irregular drifting subpulses observed. In addition, the change in the plasma density can either positively or negatively affect the pulse amplitude, depending on the amount of change. We demonstrate that an emission shift should be more prominent when it occurs at a lower emission height, where the plasma density is higher. This suggests that this phenomenon should be common, but it is more likely detected in pulsars with small impact parameters.

Keywords

• pulsars
• general-stars
• neutron-radiation mechanisms
• non-thermal
• PSR J0344−0901