A phase-coherent timing solution for the X-ray dim isolated neutron star eRASSU J131716.9-402647

Abstract

Based on its predominantly thermal X-ray emission and long spin period, the isolated neutron star eRASSU J131716.9-402647 is one of the most promising candidates for membership in the still small class of X-ray dim isolated neutron stars (XDINSs). Confirmation of this classification, however, requires a more detailed characterisation of the source's timing and spectral properties. In this work, we present new NICER observations which, together with previous X-ray follow-up, allow us to constrain the timing properties and long-term evolution of eRASSU J131716.9-402647. We obtain a coherent timing solution with a spin period of $P\sim 12.8$ s and a period derivative of $\dot{P}\sim 9\times 10^{-14}$ s s${}^{-1}$, which best-describes the spin evolution of the source. These parameters imply a dipolar magnetic field strength of $3\times 10^{13}$ G and a spin-down luminosity of order $10^{30}$ erg s${}^{-1}$. Spectral modelling reveals no significant change in the spectral state over the 15 months of observational monitoring and indicates a thermal luminosity that likely exceeds the rotational energy loss. This suggests a thermal evolution that has been significantly influenced by past reheating. The energy dependence of the double-humped pulse profile closely resembles that observed in the XDINS RX J1308.6+2127, with the pulsed fraction increasing towards higher energies. Taken together, these results unambiguously confirm the XDINS nature of eRASSU J131716.9-402647, making it the first newly confirmed XDINS in more than two decades.

10 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in A&A