Pulsars Evolution of Plerions and Radio Supernovae

The author begins by recalling the basic concepts concerning the electrodynamics of pulsars and the radiation process. Then he discusses the significance of recent discoveries which may cast new light on the origin of fast rotating neutron stars and on the evolution of pulsar powered supernova remnants ("plerions"). In the latter context he deals with the question of whether the radio emission observed from the site of recent supernova outbursts ("radiosupernovae") can be interpreted as a manifestation of the birth of a new plerion.