Theory of subpulse polarization patterns from radio pulsars

Journal Article · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/156959· OSTI ID:5990829

Cheng, A F; Ruderman, M A

We consider the effect of the magnetoactive plasma on the subpulse polarization patterns from radio pulsars. The radiation is presumed to originate from a very relativistic plasma streaming out along open field lines, either from curvature acceleration of charge bunches or from the acceleration parallel to the guiding magnetic field associated with the formation of the bunches. The different polarizations of subpulse rays within a relativistically narrowed emission cone are ordered by adiabatic walking as the curved magnetic field lines bend slowly out of the emission cone in the near magnetosphere. Essentially 100% polarization averaged over the rays within the emission cone can be achieved even if the initial average polarization over these rays is very much less or even zero. Sudden orthogonal mode transitions appear to have a natural explanation. Expected asymmetries between the posively and negatively charged components of the magnetoactive plasma would introduce circular polarization components into the polarization pattern even while adiabatic walking continues in the far magnetosphere. These give rise to promising models for describing the rich variety of elliptical polarization and rapid position-angle variation seen in some subpulses.

• Research Organization: Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill, NJ
• OSTI ID: 5990829
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 229:1; 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
ADIABATIC PROCESSES
ATMOSPHERES
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MOTION
NEUTRON STARS
PLASMA
POLARIZATION
PULSARS
RADIATIONS
ROTATION
STAR MODELS
STARS
STELLAR ATMOSPHERES
STELLAR MAGNETOSPHERES
WAVE FORMS
WAVE PROPAGATION