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) B0453Ϫ685 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 nonthermal 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 we 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.