Generative pulsar timing analysis

Abstract

A new Bayesian method for the analysis of folded pulsar timing data is presented that allows for the simultaneous evaluation of evolution in the pulse profile in either frequency or time, along with the timing model and additional stochastic processes such as red spin noise, or dispersion measure variations. We model the pulse profiles using `shapelets' - a complete ortho-normal set of basis functions that allow us to recreate any physical profile shape. Any evolution in the profiles can then be described as either an arbitrary number of independent profiles, or using some functional form. We perform simulations to compare this approach with established methods for pulsar timing analysis, and to demonstrate model selection between different evolutionary scenarios using the Bayesian evidence. %s The simplicity of our method allows for many possible extensions, such as including models for correlated noise in the pulse profile, or broadening of the pulse profiles due to scattering. As such, while it is a marked departure from standard pulsar timing analysis methods, it has clear applications for both new and current datasets, such as those from the European Pulsar Timing Array (EPTA) and International Pulsar Timing Array (IPTA).

11 pages, 6 Figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1405.2460

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• From Spin Noise to Systematics: Stochastic Processes in the First International Pulsar Timing Array Data Release
• A LOFAR census of millisecond pulsars
• The NANOGrav 12.5-year Data Set: Wideband Timing of 47 Millisecond Pulsars
• The disturbance of a millisecond pulsar magnetosphere
• Pulsar glitch detection with a hidden Markov model
• Wide-band Profile Domain Pulsar Timing Analysis
• The NANOGrav 11-year Data Set: Pulse Profile Variability
• Exponential shapelets: basis functions for data analysis of isolated features
• A Trans-dimensional Bayesian Approach to Pulsar Timing Noise Analysis
• Bayesian search for gravitational wave bursts in pulsar timing array data
• Profile Stochasticity in PSR J1909-3744
• Bayesian pulsar timing and noise analysis with Vela.jl: an overview
• Improving pulsar-timing solutions through dynamic pulse fitting
• Flickering of the Vela pulsar during its 2016 glitch