What is special about high magnetic field radio pulsars? -- First results from the multifrequency polarimetry

Abstract

The Parkes Multibeam Survey led to the identification of a number of long-period radio pulsars with magnetic field well above the 'quantum critical field' of ~ 4.4x10^13 G (HBRPs). The HBRPs have similar spin parameters to magnetars, but their emission properties are different, and contradict those theories that predict that radio emission should be suppressed above this critical field. Our observations support the suggestion that initial neutron star spin periods depend on their magnetic fields; in particular, there is a tendency for high-field systems to be born as slow rotators. The aim of this project is to understand the emission properties of HBRPs, using multiple radio frequencies and high time resolution data. One specific objective is to identify HBRPs radio emission characteristics that are different from those of normal pulsars.