Exploration of Fermi-LAT Data: An Analysis of Pulsar J1930+1852

Abstract

Background: Fermi-LAT’s 9-year data set of astrophysical gamma-rays (recently reprocessed) has revealed many new astrophysical sources. A closer analysis of one of these previously unseen sources, PSR J1930+1852 and associated pulsar wind nebula, G54.0+0.3, could help to confirm the gamma-ray emission mechanism of pulsars.

Methods: An investigation and analysis of PSR J1930+1852 and PWN G54.0+0.3 using Fermi-LAT data and science tools using maximum likelihood fitting is detailed.
Results: A 4.3 σ (p = 0.000017) excess above background was observed at the coordinates of the pulsar/pulsar wind nebula and the sources spectrum appears to be consistent with a single power law.

Limitations: The sources in the models are modelled as point sources. Further studies may want to consider the possibility of extended sources in the modelled region.

Conclusion: There is evidence for a Fermi-LAT detection of this pulsar wind nebula and the source spectrum appears to be consistent with a standard power law. An upper limit calculation predicts only about 100 events with energy above 1 GeV in the 9-year data set so a pulsation search was not conducted.