On the formation of pulsar radiation diagrmas

A model of pulsars is discussed in which formation of a polar diagram of the radiation is influenced by the motion of the source around a neutron star with a velocity close to that of light. For a power-law frequency-spectrum of the radiation and isotropy of the diagram in a system of coordinates rotating with the source, the width of the observed pulse is shown to be independent of frequency.The proposed explanation of the second period characteristics of type CP 1919 pulsars is based on the effect of relativistic motion of the radiation source. The positions are established (relative to the axis of rotation of the star) of the local sources of radiation in the optical and in the radio ranges for the pulsar NP 0532. It is shown how the polarization characteristics of the optical radiation of this pulsar may be connected with the effects of relativistic orbiting of the source of radiation about the star.     

Millisecond pulsar radiation properties

Two investigations of millisecond pulsar radiation are discussed: average total intensity pulse morphology and individual pulse to pulse fluctuations. The average emission profiles of millisecond pulsars are compared with those of slower pulsars in the context of polar cap models. In general the full widths of pulsar emission regions continue to widen inversely with periodP as P^-(0.30-0.5) as expected for dipole polar cap models. Many pulse components are very narrow. The period scaling of pulsar profiles -separations and widths -can tell us about the angular distribution of radiating currents. An investigation of individual pulses from two millisecond pulsars at 430 MHz shows erratic pulse to pulse variations similar to that seen in slow pulsars. PSR B1937+21 displays occasional strong pulses that are located in the trailing edge of the average profile with relative flux densities in the range of 100 to 400. These are similar to the giant pulses seen in the Crab pulsar.     

On the morphology of outbursts of accreting millisecond X-ray pulsar Aquila X-1

We present the X-ray light curves of the last two outbursts – 2014 & 2016 – of the well known accreting millisecond X-ray pulsar (AMXP) Aquila X-1 using the monitor of all sky X-ray image (MAXI) observations in the 2–20 keV band. After calibrating the MAXI count rates to the all-sky monitor (ASM) level, we report that the 2016 outburst is the most energetic event of Aql X-1, ever observed from this source. We show that 2016 outburst is a member of the long-high class according to the classification presented by Güngör et al. with ∼ 68 cnt/s maximum flux and ∼ 60 days duration time and the previous outburst, 2014, belongs to the short-low class with ∼ 25 cnt/s maximum flux and ∼ 30 days duration time. In order to understand differences between outbursts, we investigate the possible dependence of the peak intensity to the quiescent duration leading to the outburst and find that the outbursts following longer quiescent episodes tend to reach higher peak energetic.     

A radiation model for the vela pulsar

We model the Vela emission in radio, optical and gamma wavelengths. We assume that radio emission occurs near the polar axis deep in the magnetosphere. Optical and gamma radiation arises through ordinary synchrotron mechanisms in a wide hollow cone, near the light cylinder. Fitting of observed frequencies and luminosities in the gamma and optical give reasonable plasma parameters, and indicate that field-plasma pressure balance breaks down before the light cylinder, as required by the picture. Some optical coherence is necessary if we attribute both radio and optical emission to the same species of particles, with 100, but it is not required otherwise. Gamma-ray pulses arise from 10⁵ electrons. We suggest a single-pole orthogonal rotor picture which might account for the Vela pulse phases.     

Synchrotron radiation of a pulsar wind

We predict the synchrotron radiation from transient pulsars. The radiation is generated under the interaction of the magneto-dipole radiation with the relativistic electron-positron wind just after switching off of a radio pulsar. We calculate the spectrum and the flux of this radiation. The synchrotron radiation is estimated to observe from two nulling pulsars B1929+10 and B0656+14 on the level of several tens mJansky. The observed bright spiky emission of B0656+14 by Weltevrede et al. (Astron. Astrophys. 458:269, 2006) allows us to suggest that it has synchrotron nature. Observation of the synchrotron radiation gives possibility to determine the pulsar magnetic field and parameters and geometry of the pulsar wind.     

A geometrical depolarization of pulsar radiation

It is assumed that pulsar radiation originates in a polar cap region and that the emission mechanism is curvature radiation. It is further assumed the radiation reaching an observer at any one time may represent contributions from several particle bunches moving relativistically along different magnetic field lines and radiating mutually incoherently. These assumptions are used to explanation of the minimum of linear polarization appearing near the profile centre of some pulsars.The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is operated by the Associated Universities Inc., under contract with the National Science Foundation.     

Spectral variability of the X-ray pulsar Hercules X-1

We present the results of our comparative timing and spectral analysis of the high and low (off) states in the X-ray pulsar Her X-1 based on data from the ART-P telescope onboard the Granat observatory. A statistically significant (several mCrab) persistent flux with a simple power-law spectrum was detected during the low state. The spectral slope changed from observation to observation by almost a factor of 2. Pulsations were detected only during the high state of the source, when its flux was a factor of ～25 larger than the low-state flux. The spectral shape of Her X-1 in its high state was complex, with the parameters depending on pulse phase.     

On the theory of the generation of auroral radiation

The stability of the hot plasma located at the curvilinear geomagnetic field in relation to the generation of Alfvén oscillations is investigated. A general expression for the increment is obtained. The increments for the short wavelength disturbances and special energy distribution function in a parabolic magnetic field are presented. The obtained theoretical results are used in interpreting the oscillations of the “auroral radiation” type. The polarization relations in Alfvén waves are investigated.     

On the randomness of pulsar nulls

Pulsar nulling is not always a random process; most pulsars, in fact, null non-randomly. The Wald–Wolfowitz statistical runs test is a simple diagnostic that pulsar astronomers can use to identify pulsars that have non-random nulls. It is not clear at this point how the dichotomy in pulsar nulling randomness is related to the underlying nulling phenomenon, but its nature suggests that there are at least two distinct reasons that pulsars null.     

Timing properties of the X-ray pulsar EXO 2030+375 during an X-ray outburst

We present Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer ( RXTE ) observations of the Be/X-ray transient EXO 2030+375 during an outburst after a period of quiescence between 1993 August and 1996 April. When active, EXO 2030+375 is normally detected at each periastron passage of the neutron star. Our observations correspond to the third periastron passage after the source 'turned on' again. All outbursts after the quiescent period, including the one reported here, have been occurring at a much earlier binary phase than in the past. We discuss the possible mechanisms that may explain this shift in the onset of the outburst. Pulsations in the X-ray radiation are detected throughout the entire run. The neutron star spun up during the outburst at a rate of −1.16×10⁻⁸ s s⁻¹, but no variations in the shape of the pulse profile as a function of intensity were seen. A correlation between the hardness ratio and the intensity is observed at low energies (6–12/2–6 keV). By comparing the magnetospheric and corotation radii we argue that the neutron star spins at a rate close to the equilibrium period. Finally, we perform pulse-phase spectroscopy and comment on changes seen as a function of spin phase.     

Superorbital period variations in the X-ray pulsar LMC X-4

We report the discovery of a decay in the superorbital period of the binary X-ray pulsar LMC X-4. Combining archival data and published long term X-ray light curves, we have found a decay in the third period in this system (P ∼ 30.3 day, P ∼ −2 × 10⁻⁵ s s⁻¹). Along with this result, a comparison of the superorbital intensity variations in LMC X-4, Her X-1 and SMC X-1 is also presented.     

Compton scattering of electromagnetic radiation in pulsar magnetospheres

We have considered the spontaneous Compton scattering of radiation in the magnetic field by both a single ultra-relativistic electron and a system of electrons with the power-law energy distribution. The degree of radiation anisotropy was assumed arbitrary. Parameters of the scattering-generated radiation for the entire range of post-scattering photon energies are given in the paper for all possible scattering modes.     

Tenma observation of the X-ray pulsar 4U1626-67

Energy-dependent pulse profiles from the X-ray pulsar 4U1626-67, observed with Tenma in May 1983, were studied using an anisotropic radiation transfer model in an accretion column on a strongly magnetized neutron star. The result indicates that the strength of the magnetic field is about 8×10¹² G at the surface of the neutron star.Paper presented at the IAU Third Asian-Pacific Regional Meeting, held in Kyoto, Japan, between 30 September–6 October, 1984.