Aspects of pulsar evolution

Journal Article · Fri Feb 15 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/157740· OSTI ID:5450460

Fujimura, F S; Kennel, C F

We consider pulsar statistics from the point of view of generalized evolutionary equations that assume that pulsar torques diminish exponentially with a decay-time constant T, to be determined empirically. Decay or alignment of the neutron-star magnetic moment, or a combination, may cause the torque to diminish with time. The Sturrock-Ruderman-Sutherland pair-production model provides a quantitative way to calculate pulsar lifetimes. Different test, which use th data in partially independent ways and involve differnt assumptions, consistently suggest that T is less than a million years and may be as short as several hundred thousand years.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics, University of California, Los Angeles
• OSTI ID: 5450460
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 236:1; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MATHEMATICS
MOTION
NEUTRON STARS
PULSARS
PULSATIONS
ROTATION
STAR EVOLUTION
STAR MODELS
STARS
STATISTICS
TORQUE
VARIATIONS