Possible vacuum signature in the spectra of X-ray pulsars

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (67) References (9) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Possible vacuum signature in the spectra of X-ray pulsars. Ventura, J. ; Nagel, W. ; Meszaros, P. Abstract The vacuum polarization effect expected in the strong magnetic fields of pulsars should dominate the behavior of the opacities and the radiative transfer at X-ray frequencies. A sharp feature in the cross sections, which is peculiar to vacuum effects, is present at a particular frequency. In a radiative-transfer calculation for a simplified model atmosphere, these cross sections give rise to a line feature at this frequency, in addition to the cyclotron feature. This should serve as a diagnostic for the presence of vacuum effects, as well as for the determination of the plasma density. A change in the plane of polarization is also predicted at the frequency of the sharp feature. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: November 1979 DOI: 10.1086/183090 Bibcode: 1979ApJ...233L.125V Keywords: Astronomical Spectroscopy; Pulsars; Vacuum Spectroscopy; X Ray Sources; Atmospheric Models; Plasma Spectra; Polarization Characteristics; Radiative Transfer; Astrophysics; Polarization:X-Ray Pulsars full text sources ADS |