Possible vacuum signature in the spectra of X-ray pulsars

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/183090· OSTI ID:5757669

Ventura, J; Nagel, W; Meszaros, P

The vacuum polarization effect expected in the strong magnetic fields of pulsars should dominate the behavior of the opacities and the radiative transfer at X-ray frequencies. A sharp feature in the cross sections, which is peculiar to vacuum effects, is present at the frequency del..omega../sub 0/=3(4 x 10/sup 12/ gauss/B) (n/sub e//10/sup 22/ cm/sup -3/)/sup 1.2/ keV. In a radiative transfer calculation for a simplified model atmosphere, these cross sections give rise to a line feature at this frequency, in addition to the cyclotron feature. This should serve as a diagnostic for the presence of vacuum effects, as well as for the determination of the plasma density. A change in the plane of polarization is also predicted at ..omega../sub 0/.

• Research Organization: Max-Planck-Institut fuer Physik und Astrophysik
• OSTI ID: 5757669
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States) Vol. 233:3; ISSN AJLEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640103* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
& X-Ray Sources-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ATMOSPHERES
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
CROSS SECTIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY SPECTRA
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
OPACITY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLASMA
PULSARS
RADIATION TRANSPORT
RADIATIONS
SCATTERING
SPECTRA
STELLAR ATMOSPHERES
VACUUM POLARIZATION
X RADIATION