Aspects of pulsar evolution.
Abstract
Pulsar statistics are examined from the point of view of generalized evolutionary equations that assume that pulsar torques diminish exponentially with a decay-time constant T, to be determined empirically. Decay or alignment of the neutron-star magnetic moment, or a combination, may cause the torque to diminish with time. The Sturrock-Ruderman-Sutherland pair-production model provides a quantitative way to calculate pulsar lifetimes. Different tests, which use the data in partially independent ways and involve different assumptions, consistently suggest that T is less than a million years and may be as short as several hundred thousand years. The distribution of pulsars, and of those with more than 5% missing pulses is quantitatively consistent with pair production threshold, when the variation of this threshold with neutron star mass is taken into account.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- February 1980
- DOI:
- 10.1086/157740
- Bibcode:
- 1980ApJ...236..245F
- Keywords:
-
- Pulsars;
- Statistical Analysis;
- Stellar Evolution;
- Stellar Rotation;
- Decay Rates;
- Neutron Stars;
- Stellar Models;
- Torque;
- Astrophysics