The magnetospheric structure of radio pulsars with interpulses

• Published in: Astronomy reports 2013-11, Vol.57 (11), p.833-843
• Main Authors: Malov, I. F., Nikitina, E. B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Astronomy; Astrophysics; Magnetic fields; Observations and Techniques; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Pulsars; Radio astronomy
• ISSN: 1063-7729; 1562-6881
• DOI: 10.1134/S106377291311005X

Pulsars with interpulses—pulse components located between the main pulses—are studied. About 50 such objects are currently known. Methods developed earlier to determine the angle β between the rotation axis and the magnetic moment of the neutron star are used to investigate the geometry of the magnetospheres in these objects. In a number of pulsars, β < 20°, so that not only interpulses, but also radiation between pulses and a correlation between the behaviors of the interpulses and main pulses, is expected. In other pulses, this angle is greater than 60°, and interpulses can appear if the radiation cone is sufficiently broad and there is a favorable orientation of the line of sight of the observer. Thus, the earlier prediction that there should be two types of pulsars with interpulses—aligned and orthogonal—is supported. Estimates of the ages of the pulsars in these two groups indicate that aligned rotators are appreciably older than orthogonal rotators.