Abstract
The Rayleigh test has been recently invoked as a method of searching a time series for periodic pulsations. In this paper, this technique is discussed and compared to epoch folding, a technique which has had widespread use in X-ray astronomy. It is found that the Rayleigh test provides a more sensitive approach to the search for periodic pulsations when the pulses are sinusoidal or of broad duty cycle, such as those typical of the pulsing X-ray sources. Epoch folding, on the other hand, is more sensitive to the narrow pulses typical of radio pulsars.
Author
Leahy, D. A.; Elsner, R. F.; Weisskopf, M. C.
Journal
Astrophysical Journal
Paper Publication Date
September 1983
Paper Type
Astrostatistics