AGILE observations of PSR B1509-58: is QED photon splitting at work in pulsars?

Abstract

We present the results of new AGILE observations of PSR B1509-58 performed over a period of $\sim$2.5 years following the detection obtained with preliminary data. The modulation significance of the lightcurve above 30 MeV is at a 5$\sigma$ confidence level and the lightcurve is similar to those found earlier up to 30 MeV by COMPTEL: a broad asymmetric first peak reaching its maximum $0.39 \pm 0.02$ cycles after the radio peak plus a second peak at $0.94 \pm 0.03$. The $\gamma$-ray spectral energy distribution of pulsed flux is well described by a power-law (photon index $\alpha=1.87\pm0.09$) with a remarkable cutoff at $E_c=81\pm 20$ MeV, representing the softest spectrum observed among $\gamma$-ray pulsars so far. The unusual soft break in the spectrum of PSR B1509-58 has been interpreted in the framework of polar cap models as a signature of the exotic photon splitting process in the strong magnetic field of this pulsar. In the case of an outer-gap scenario, or the two pole caustic model, better constraints on the geometry of the emission would be needed from the radio band in order to establish whether the conditions required by the models to reproduce AGILE lightcurves and spectra match the polarization measurements.