Pulsar. gamma. -rays: spectra, luminosities, and efficiencies

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/158807· OSTI ID:6192636

Harding, A K

The general characteristics of pulsar ..gamma..-ray spectra are presented for a model where the ..gamma..-rays are produced by curvature radiation from energetic particles above the polar cap and attenuated by pair production. The shape of the spectrum is found to depend on pulsar period, magnetic field strength, and primary particle energy. By a comparison of numerically calculated spectra with the observed spectra of the Crab and Vela pulsars, it is determined that primary particles must be accelerated to energies of approx.3 x 10/sup 7/ mc/sup 2/. A general formula for pulsar ..gamma..-ray luminosity is determined and is found to depend on period and field strength. The ..gamma..-ray efficiency scales with characteristic age as tau/sup 1.8/ up to tauapprox.3--4 x 10/sup 7/ yr, where there may be a turnoff in the ..gamma..-ray emission.

• Research Organization: Laboratory for High Energy Atmophysics, NASA Goddard Flight Center
• OSTI ID: 6192636
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 245:1; ISSN ASJOA
• 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
ACCELERATION
COSMIC GAMMA SOURCES
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EMISSION
GAMMA RADIATION
GAMMA SPECTRA
INTERACTIONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LUMINOSITY
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PAIR PRODUCTION
PARTICLES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PULSARS
PULSATIONS
RADIATIONS
SPECTRA
STAR MODELS