Probing the magnetic field of radio pulsars - A reexamination of polarization position angle swings

A vacuum magnetic field is assumed in the present calculation of the polarization position angle as a function of pulse longitude and polarization-limiting radius in radio pulsars. The polarization-limiting radius is estimated on the basis of results of Cheng and Ruderman (1980) and Stinebring (1982). The average change in position angle is also calculated, and this is found to be consistent with observations studied by Narayan and Vivekanand (1983); an alternative interpretation of the data is given, however, which is further supported by the frequency dependence of polarization angle swing in the Crab pulsar.