Diffuse Galactic gamma-rays from pulsars

A significant fraction of the diffuse galactic γ-ray emission could be due to γ-rays from individually undetected pulsars. Using the polar cap model of pulsar γ-ray emission, the contribution of aging radio pulsars to the diffuse galactic γ-ray glow is estimated. We calculate photon flux maps for a dynamically evolving pulsar population and, using COS-B data, we derive constraints on the Galactic birth rate of pulsars. We emphasize the value of analyzing the collective contribution of pulsars that perhaps individually are too faint to be detected by the Compton Observatory.