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Energetic radiation from rapidly spinning pulsars. I - Outer magnetosphere gaps. II - VELA and Crab
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Very rapidly spinning magnetized neutron stars such as the Crab and Vela pulsars are powerful γ‑ray sources with photon energies extending to 10¹² eV and beyond, requiring extremely ultrarelativistic particle accelerators. The authors examine the origin and structure of particle accelerators in the outer magnetospheres of rapidly spinning pulsars with high spin‑down energy loss, focusing on young pulsars capable of sustaining pair production in charge‑depleted regions. They predict that an electrostatic accelerating gap forms far from the neutron star, where the corotating magnetosphere moves at relativistic speeds, enabling the generation of energetic radiation beams distinct from the coherent microwave emission seen in radio pulsars. Published in The Astrophysical Journal (Jan 1986), DOI 10.1086/163829.
view Abstract Citations (901) References (33) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Energetic Radiation from Rapidly Spinning Pulsars. I. Outer Magnetosphere Gaps Cheng, K. S. ; Ho, C. ; Ruderman, M. Abstract Very rapidly spinning magnetized neutron stars such as the Crab and Vela pulsars are strong γ-ray sources with photon energies extending to 1012eV and possibly beyond. These special pulsars must contain extremely ultrarelativistic particle accelerators. In this paper the authors consider the origin and structure of particle accelerators in the outer magnetosphere of pulsars characterized by large spindown energy loss rates. The discussion is concerned with the class of (mainly young) pulsars which can sustain pair production in otherwise charge-depleted regions of the outer magnetosphere. The resulting electrostatic accelerating region ("gap") is expected to exist far from the neutron star, where a corotating magnetosphere would be rotating at speeds a significant fraction of c. The size and location of this gap supports the production of energetic radiation beams of quite different character from the usual coherent microwave emission of radio pulsars. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: January 1986 DOI: 10.1086/163829 Bibcode: 1986ApJ...300..500C Keywords: Pulsar Magnetospheres; Pulsars; Stellar Atmospheres; Stellar Radiation; Electric Fields; Pair Production; Particle Acceleration; Stellar Rotation; Stellar Structure; Astrophysics; HYDROMAGNETICS; PULSARS; RADIATION MECHANISMS; STARS: NEUTRON full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (3) Related Materials (1) Part 2: 1986ApJ...300..522C