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Title: Neutron-stars observations as astrophysical probes

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:7149997

Several aspects of observations of neutron stars and compact extragalactic radio sources are considered, with particular regard to their use in constraining certain astrophysical phenomena. A theoretical treatment of the pulse-arrival time analysis of millisecond pulsars is made; how a detailed timing analysis can be used to quantitatively probe noise processes affecting the pulsar period and the propagation of the radiation is considered. The intrinsic noise may be used to study the neutron-star interior, while propagation effects due to gravitational perturbations of the neutron star and interstellar refraction of the emitted radio waves provide probes of the pulsar environment and the intervening plasma. In addition, important constraints on the background of cosmological gravitational radiation can be derived from timing such pulsars. Thermal x-rays remitted from a warm neutron star, either cooling from its initial formation or heated by internal dissipation, accretion, etc., are considered, constructing model atmospheres appropriate to such stars. Consequences of similar x-ray observations for neutron star-models of various gamma-ray stars. The refraction of radio waves form pulsars and other compact sources by interstellar plasma is also studied.

Research Organization:
California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena (USA)
OSTI ID:
7149997
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English