Pulsar magnetic moment decay due to radiation damping and the pulsar in SN 1987 A

Abstract

A new theory is proposed to account for the decay of the pulsar magnetic moment in terms of radiation damping mechanism. Detailed comparisons with the up-to-date pulsar observations are made. The theory is then applied to binary radio pulsars thereby resolving the dilemma concerning the ages and the magnetic fields of the pulsars PSR 0655+64 and PSR 1855+09. Finally a prediction is made concerning the period and period derivative of the pulsar in SN 1987 A.