The gamma-ray spectra of radio pulsars.
Abstract
A general expression for the gamma-ray spectra of pulsars is derived for models where the radiation is produced by particles accelerated along the open field lines of a neutron star. The accelerating potentials are assumed to be limited by pair production discharges and to decrease linearly with increasing number of electron-positron pairs created during these discharge processes. The corresponding energy distribution of particles is derived both for the case of strong radiation reaction and for that of no radiation reaction. The resultant formula for the gamma-ray spectrum fits well to the Crab and the Vela pulsar spectra assuming that radiation reaction is negligible in these two fast pulsars.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- October 1981
- DOI:
- 10.1086/159331
- Bibcode:
- 1981ApJ...249..698A
- Keywords:
-
- Gamma Rays;
- Particle Acceleration;
- Pulsars;
- Radio Sources (Astronomy);
- Stellar Models;
- Stellar Spectra;
- Electron-Positron Pairs;
- Electrons;
- Energy Distribution;
- Neutron Stars;
- Pair Production;
- Positrons;
- Radiation Effects;
- Astrophysics