The binary companion of PSR J1740−3052

We report on the identication of a near-infrared counterpart to the massive ( > 11 M ) binary companion of pulsar J1740 3052. An accurate celestial position of PSR J1740 3052 is determined from interferometric radio observations. Adaptive optics corrected near-infrared imaging observations show a counterpart at the interferometric position of the pulsar. The counterpart has Ks = 15:87 0:10 and J Ks > 0:83. Based on distance and absorption estimates from models of the Galactic electron and dust distributions these observed magnitudes are consistent with those of a mainsequence star as the binary companion. We argue that this counterpart is the binary companion to PSR J1740 3052 and thus rule out a stellar mass black hole as the pulsar companion.