Discovery of a New Pulsar Wind Nebula in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Abstract

We present new high-resolution radio and X-ray observations of the supernova remnant (SNR) B0453-685 in the Large Magellanic Cloud, carried out with the Australia Telescope Compact Array and the Chandra X-ray Observatory respectively. Embedded in the SNR shell is a compact central nebula producing both flat-spectrum polarized radio emission and non-thermal X-rays; we identify this source as a pulsar wind nebula (PWN) powered by an unseen central neutron star. We present a new approach by which the properties of a SNR and PWN can be used to infer upper limits on the initial spin period and surface magnetic field of the unseen pulsar, and conclude that this star was an initial rapid rotator with current properties similar to those of the Vela pulsar. As is the case for other similarly-aged sources, there is currently an interaction taking place between the PWN and the SNR's reverse shock.