Neutron Stars and Black Holes - Lecture 6: Pulsars and Their Properties
Explore the fascinating world of pulsars in this comprehensive lecture from the "Neutron Stars and Black Holes" summer course. Delve into the remarkable story of the Crab Nebula, understanding its expansion, polarized emission, and the puzzling acceleration of its wisps. Discover the groundbreaking work of scientists like Shklovskii and Pacini, who made crucial predictions about neutron stars. Learn about the serendipitous discovery of pulsars by Jocelyn Bell and the subsequent understanding of their nature as rapidly rotating neutron stars. Examine the unique properties of pulsars, including their periodic pulsations, microstructure of individual pulses, and the phenomenon of "nulling." Gain insights into pulsar electrodynamics, magnetosphere, and the light cylinder concept. Explore various models explaining pulsar radiation, including the Polar Cap Model and pair creation processes. This lecture provides a thorough foundation for understanding pulsars, their emission mechanisms, and their significance in astrophysics. Read more