Abstract
Young gamma-ray pulsars are thought to be efficient accelerators of electrons. However, they have also been proposed as sources of gravitational waves. Estimates of the pulsar birthrate (PB) and cosmic-ray positron measurements above a few GeV allow us to set an upper limit to the average energy loss of young pulsars in our galaxy due to gravitational wave emission. This occurs when a model of positron production at the pulsar polar cap is assumed. The upper limit is found to lie well above those obtained through the observed braking indexes ( n) from young pulsars such as Crab or Vela. This result might indicate additional electromagnetic energy losses such as photon production at the outer gap in the pulsar magnetosphere. Pulsed gamma-ray observations above a few GeV from a large sample of young pulsars and small-error cosmic-ray positron measurements will clarify the role of polar cap and outer gap models in the near future. A fundamental cross-check will be allowed by Earth interferometers for gravitational wave detection from radio pulsars.
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