Evidence for a minimum ellipticity in millisecond pulsars

Woan, G. , Pitkin, M.D. , Haskell, B., Jones, D.I. and Lasky, P.D. (2018) Evidence for a minimum ellipticity in millisecond pulsars. Astrophysical Journal Letters, 863(2), L40. (doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/aad86a)

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Abstract

Neutron stars spin down over time due to a number of energy-loss processes. We provide tantalizing population-based evidence that millisecond pulsars (MSPs) have a minimum ellipticity of epsilon ≈ 10−9 around their spin axis and that, consequently, some spin down mostly through gravitational-wave emission. We discuss the implications of such a minimum ellipticity in terms of the internal magnetic field strengths and nuclear matter composition of neutron stars and show it would result in the Advanced LIGO and Virgo gravitational-wave detectors, or their upgrades, detecting gravitational waves from some known MSPs in the near future.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Woan, Professor Graham and Pitkin, Dr Matthew
Authors: Woan, G., Pitkin, M.D., Haskell, B., Jones, D.I., and Lasky, P.D.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Research Centre:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy > Institute for Gravitational Research
Journal Name:Astrophysical Journal Letters
Publisher:American Astronomical Society
ISSN:2041-8205
ISSN (Online):2041-8213
Published Online:21 August 2018
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2018 The American Astronomical Society
First Published:First published in Astrophysical Journal Letters 863(2): L40
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
713721Investigations in gravitational radiationSheila RowanScience & Technology Facilities Council (STFC)ST/N005422/1S&E P&A - PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY