Models of Pulsar Emission (IMAGE)

Washington University in St. Louis

Models of Pulsar Emission

Caption

The VERITAS result doesn't fit with standard models of pulsar emission. The pulsar is surrounded by a plasma-filled superconducting magnetosphere that rotates rigidly with the star except where there are open field lines. (The "light cylinder" marks the boundary where plasma rotates at the speed of light to stay with the pulsar.) Particles accelerated across "vacuum gaps" in the magnetosphere emit the electromagnetic radiation such as gamma rays. Still unresolved is the location of the gaps and the mechanism by which the radiation is produced. Among the leading candidates are the polar cap, slot gap and outer gap models.

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Magic Collaboration

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