Statistics of γ-ray pulsars.
Abstract
We use Monte Carlo methods to simulate the galactic γ-ray pulsar population using a Compton-induced pair cascade model for γ-ray production from pulsars. We compare the distance, period, magnetic field, age, and γ-ray flux distributions of the simulated pulsars with those of the seven known γ-ray pulsars and find that this model can reproduce the observed trends given a pulsar cap size between 3 and 4 times larger than the nominal polar cap size. Polar caps of this size are suggested by braking index measurements and can be explained by the presence of an equatorial disk in the pulsar magnetosphere. The integrated flux from all pulsars below the EGRET point source threshold is calculated and found to contribute to the diffuse galactic γ-ray flux at the 5%-10% level.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement Series
- Pub Date:
- November 1996
- Bibcode:
- 1996A&AS..120C..99S
- Keywords:
-
- STARS: NEUTRON;
- PULSARS;
- STARS: KINEMATICS;
- GALAXY: STELLAR CONTENT