On the Passage Through Inhomogeneous, Moving Media.IV. Radiative Transfer Under Single-Particle Compton Scattering
Abstract
The equation of radiative transfer for a rapidly moving, differentially shearing medium is given under the assumption of independent particle Compton scattering. Using first a Mellin transform and then an extension of an approximation procedure most explicitly developed by Chandrasekhar, we illustrate how the specific intensity of the radiation field is amplified in an ever-decreasing angular width with respect to the flow direction as the medium speed increases. These results are of interest in connection with the propagation of pulsed signals through the differentially shearing magnetosphere of a pulsar a particular concern being the spatial vicinity near the "speed-of-light" circle where large differential shear must obtain. Subject headings: hydromagnetics - pulsars - radiative transfer
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- July 1974
- DOI:
- 10.1086/152954
- Bibcode:
- 1974ApJ...191..191L