Some observational tests of X-ray pulsar emission models

The understanding of neutron star physics which relies heavily on knowing values of their mass, radius and magnetic field strength was studied. The only information about these till now comes from the surface radiation. Major uncertainties concerning the nature of the mass exchange and the accretion flow, the magnetopause structure, the infall deceleration, the actual pulsation mechanism and the atmosphere geometry are examined. The alternatives and several possible observational tests are discussed.