Radio Study of G76.9+1.0 Pulsar Wind Nebula

Abstract

Pulsar Wind Nebulae (PWNe) are key astrophysical laboratories for high energy phenomena. Specifically, radio observations and related polarimetry are essential probes to understand acceleration and transport, as well as PWN interaction with environment. We aim to better study the multi-wavelength morphology and magnetic geometry of \gname\ PWN (a system between early and middle ages). We conduct high resolution VLA observations at 3 cm (X band), 6 cm (C band), and 13 cm (S band) and compare them with the archival Chandra X-ray data. We also performed spectral analysis and radio polarimetry based on our radio observations. Our new VLA observations reveal a north-south double-lobed PWN bracketing a bridge-like feature, with the pulsar clearly resolved at C and S bands. The polarization fraction reaches 30\% across all bands, with the bridge region showing ordered north-south magnetic fields aligned with the X-ray torus elongation, while the southern outer lobe exhibits fields not following such a direction and the northern lobe displays a more chaotic configuration. Notably, we detect a significant radio-X-ray anti-correlation near the pulsar, with bright radio emission appearing just beyond the compact X-ray PWN boundary, multiwavelength spectral analysis suggest distinct particle populations. The radio PWN spectral index steepens from $α\sim-0.3$ in the inner bridge to $<-1.0$ in the outer lobes, yet we suggest it is less likely related to synchrotron cooling. We tried to use a thick torus model with toroidal $B$-field to reproduce observed features; the result implies possible particle deceleration in the radio PWN. The equipartition magnetic field strength is estimated to be $\sim$15.3\,$μ$G.