NON-DETECTION IN A FERMI/LAT OBSERVATION OF AXP 4U 0142+61: MAGNETARS?
- Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing (China)
Significant research in compact stars is currently focused on two kinds of enigmatic sources: anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs) and soft gamma-ray repeaters (SGRs). Although AXPs and SGRs are popularly thought to be magnetars, other models (e.g., the accretion model) for understanding the observations can still not be ruled out. It is worth noting that a non-detection in a Fermi/LAT observation of AXP 4U 0142+61 has been reported recently by Sasmaz Mus and Gogus. We propose here that Fermi/LAT observations may distinguish between the magnetar model and the accretion model for AXPs and SGRs. We explain how this null observation of AXP 4U 0142+61 favors the accretion model. Future Fermi/LAT observations of AXP 1E 1547.0-5408 and AXP 1E 1048.1-5937 are highly recommended.
- OSTI ID:
- 21454885
- Journal Information:
- Astrophysical Journal Letters, Vol. 725, Issue 2; Other Information: DOI: 10.1088/2041-8205/725/2/L196; ISSN 2041-8205
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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