|
Description
Using LOFAR, we have performed a very-low-frequency (115-155MHz) radio survey for millisecond pulsars (MSPs). The survey targeted 52 unidentified Fermi {gamma}-ray sources. Employing a combination of coherent and incoherent dedispersion, we have mitigated the dispersive effects of the interstellar medium while maintaining sensitivity to fast-spinning pulsars. Toward 3FGLJ1553.1+5437 we have found PSRJ1552+5437, the first MSP to be discovered (through its pulsations) at a radio frequency <200MHz. PSR J1552+5437 is an isolated MSP with a 2.43ms spin period and a dispersion measure of 22.9pc/cm^3^. The pulsar has a very steep radio spectral index ({alpha}-2.8+/-0.4). We obtain a phase-connected timing solution combining the 0.74yr of radio observations with {gamma}-ray photon arrival times covering 7.5yr of Fermi observations. We find that the radio and {gamma}-ray pulse profiles of PSR J1552+5437 appear to be nearly aligned. The very steep spectrum of PSR J1552+5437, along with other recent discoveries, hints at a population of radio MSPs that have been missed in surveys using higher observing frequencies. Detecting such steep spectrum sources is important for mapping the population of MSPs down to the shortest spin periods, understanding their emission in comparison to slow pulsars, and quantifying the prospects for future surveys with low-frequency radio telescopes like SKA-Low and its precursors.
|
