DYNAMICAL FORMATION OF MILLISECOND PULSARS IN GLOBULAR CLUSTERS

Journal Article · Mon May 10 04:00:00 EDT 2010 · Astrophysical Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/714/2/1149· OSTI ID:21448848

Hui, C Y ^[1]; Cheng, K S ^[2]; Taam, Ronald E ^[3]

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1. Department of Astronomy and Space Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of)
2. Department of Physics, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road (Hong Kong)
3. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Northwestern University, 2131 Tech Drive, Evanston, IL 60208 (United States)

The cumulative luminosity distribution functions (CLFs) of radio millisecond pulsars (MSPs) in globular clusters (GCs) and in the Galactic field at a frequency of 1.4 GHz have been examined. Assuming a functional form, N {proportional_to} L{sup q} where N is the number of MSPs and L is the luminosity at 1.4 GHz, it is found that the CLFs significantly differ with a steeper slope, q = -0.83 {+-} 0.05, in GCs than in the Galactic field (q = -0.48 {+-} 0.04), suggesting a different formation or evolutionary history of MSPs in these two regions of the Galaxy. To probe the production mechanism of MSPs in clusters, a search of the possible relationships between the MSP population and cluster properties was carried out. The results of an investigation of nine GCs indicate positive correlations between the MSP population and the stellar encounter rate and metallicity. This provides additional evidence suggesting that stellar dynamical interactions are important in the formation of the MSP population in GCs.

• OSTI ID: 21448848
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal, Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 714; ISSN ASJOAB; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
CORRELATIONS
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
FUNCTIONS
GALAXIES
LUMINOSITY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PULSARS