Abstract
We semi-quantitatively calculate the distribution of energy in frequency and angle emitted from a sheet of charges that are moving out relativistically along dipolar magnetic field lines originating near the magnetic polar caps of a rotating neutron star. The angular distribution is conical with the angle of maximum intensity varying with frequency ω as ω−1/4 for ω≲ω c ≈2 c /(Rθ M 2), whereRθM is the initial angular radius of the charge sheet at the surface of the star of radiusR. At higher frequencies the width of the angular cone remains constant. The radiation is linearly polarized with the polarization vector in the plane of the line of sight and the magnetic axis. A sheet of uniform charge density and finite thickness has a frequency spectrum that varies from ω−3/2 to ω−4 for ω≲ω c and ω≲ω c , respectively. These features are in good general agreement with the observed characteristics of the intensity, pulse shape, and frequency spectrum of the radio pulses from pulsars.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bertotti, B., Cavaliere, A., and Pacini, F.: 1969,Nature 223, 135.
Craft, H. D. and Comella, J. H.: 1968,Nature 220, 676.
Drake, F. D. and Craft, H. D.: 1968,Nature 220, 231.
Eastland, B. J.: 1968,Nature 220, 1293.
Erdélyi, A.: 1956,Asymptotic Expansions, Dover Publ. Inc., New York, U.S.A.
Gold, T.: 1968,Nature 218, 731.
Goldreich, P. and Julian, W. H.: 1969,Astrophys. J. 157, 869.
Gradshteyn, I. S. and Ryzhik, I. M.: 1965,Tables of Integrate, Series and Products, Academic Press, New York, p. 717.
Jackson, J. D.: 1962,Classical Electrodynamics, Wiley and Sons, New York.
Komesaroff, M. M.: 1970,Nature 225, 612.
Komesaroff, M. M., Morris, D., and Cooke, D. J.: 1970,Astrophys. Letters 5, 37.
Lerche, I.: 1970a,Astrophys. J. 159, 229.
Lerche, I.: 1970b,Astrophys. J. 160, 1003.
Manchester, R. N.: 1970,Nature 228, 264.
Manchester, R. N.: 1971, submitted toAstrophys. J.
Maran, S. P. and Cameron, A. G. W.: 1969,Earth Extraterrest. Sci. 1, 3.
Pacini, F.: 1968,Nature,219, 145.
Radhakrishnan, V.: 1969,Proc. Astron. Soc. Australia 1, 254.
Radhakrishnan, V. and Cooke, D. J.: 1969,Astrophys. Letters 3, 225.
Radhakrishnan, V., Cooke, D. J., Komesaroff, M. M., and Morris, D.: 1969,Nature 221, 443.
Reickley, P. E., Downs, G. S., and Morris, G. A.: 1970,Astrophys. J. Letters 159, L35.
Smith, F. G.: 1970a,Nature 228, 913.
Smith, F. G.: 1970b,Monthly Notices Roy. Astron. Soc. 149, 1.
Sturrock, P. A. S.: 1970,Nature 227, 465.
Zeissig, G. A. and Richards, D. W.: 1969,Nature 222, 150.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Operated by Associated Universities, Inc., under contract with the National Science Foundation.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tademaru, E. Pulsar radio emission from expanding charge sheets. Astrophys Space Sci 12, 193–203 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00656149
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00656149