Pulsar polarization: weak sources and emission features at 430 MHz

Journal Article · Sun Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Astron. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/112900· OSTI ID:6522787

Rankin, J M; Benson, J M

We have measured the Stokes parameters of the average profiles of 31 pulsars at 430 MHz. The three pulsars in our sample with interpulse emission (0823+26, 0950+08, and 1929+10) have measurable linear polarization angles. In particular, PSR 0950+08 exhibits a polarization angle signature that rotates smoothly and continuously through 180/sup 0/ across the interpulse-- main pulse waveform. Of the remaining 28 pulsars, 17 have simple profile shapes and 11 have double or complex profiles. The highest levels of linear polarization (60% to 83%) are found in four pulsars with simple profiles. The remaining 24 objects have linear polarizations more or less evenly distributed between 0% and 45%, and show no correlation of linear emission with pulse shape. Switching between dominant linear emission modes is revealed through sudden 90/sup 0/ shifts in the linear polarization angle, usually at the leading and/or trailing edges of the profiles. Interference between orthogonal emission states apparently causes much of the linear depolarization in this sample of objects. We further measure levels of circular polarization between 0% and 25% in these objects. Approximately one-half of the objects have circular levels less than approx.10%. The circular polarization fractions appear to be independent of both pulse shape and linear polarization level.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405
• OSTI ID: 6522787
• Journal Information: Astron. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astron. J.; (United States) Vol. 86:3; ISSN ANJOA
• 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
DATA
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EMISSION SPECTRA
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
INFORMATION
NUMERICAL DATA
POLARIZATION
PULSARS
RADIATIONS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
SPECTRA
STOKES PARAMETERS