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Pulsar Polar Cap Heating and Surface Thermal X-ray EmissionWe investigate the effect of pulsar polar cap (PC) heating produced by positrons returning from the upper pair formation front. Our calculations are based on a self-consistent treatment of the pair dynamics and the effect of electric field screening by the returning positrons. We calculate the resultant X-ray luminosities and discuss the dependence of the PC heating efficiencies on pulsar parameters, such as characteristic spin-down age, spin period, and surface magnetic field strength. In this study we concentrate on the regime where the pairs are produced in a magnetic field by curvature photons emitted by accelerating electrons. Our theoretical results are not in conflict with the available observational x-ray data and suggest that the effect of PC heating should significantly contribute to the thermal x-ray fluxes from middle-aged and old pulsars. The implications for current and future x-ray observations of pulsars are briefly outlined.
Document ID
20020085180
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Harding, Alice K.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Muslimov, Alexander G.
(Emergent Information Technologies, Inc. Upper Marlboro, MD United States)
White, Nicholas E.
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 2002
Publication Information
Publication: The Astrophysical Journal
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Volume: 556
Subject Category
Astronomy
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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