Characterizing X-ray properties of the gamma-ray pulsar PSR J1418$-$6058 in the Rabbit pulsar wind nebula

Abstract

We report on X-ray studies of the gamma-ray pulsar PSR J1418$-$6058 in the Rabbit pulsar wind nebula (PWN) carried out using archival Chandra and XMM-Newton observations. A refined timing analysis performed with the 120-ks XMM-Newton data finds significant ($p\approx 10^{-7}$) pulsation at $P\approx 110$ ms which is consistent with that measured with the Fermi large area telescope (LAT). In the Chandra image, we find extended emission around the pulsar similar to those seen around other pulsars in young PWNe, which further argues for association between PSR J1418$-$6058 and the Rabbit PWN. The X-ray spectrum of the pulsar is hard and similar to those of soft-gamma pulsars. Hence PSR J1418$-$6058 may add to the list of soft-gamma pulsars.

7 pages, 3 figures