The Nature of AX J0051-733 in the SMC: A Pulsar Born with Ultrastrong Magnetic Field?

Abstract

We investigate the nature of the pulsar of the Be/X-ray binary, AX J0051-733. Although the system has a very short orbital period, it meets the basic definition of Be/X-ray binaries. We argue that, in order to interpret such a short orbital period, the initial magnetic field strength of the pulsar must be between 4.2 × 10 13 -5 × 10 15 G, if typical values of the parameters chosen. Thus, the pulsar was most likely born as a magnetar. We further suggest that magnetar descendants can also be found among the massive X-ray binaries with extremely short-orbit periods, in addition to among the X-ray binaries with very long pulse periods.