Possible vacuum signature in the spectra of X-ray pulsars
Nov, 1979
4 pages
Published in:
- Astrophys.J.Lett. 233 (1979) L125-L128
DOI:
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Abstract: (ADS)
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.References(0)
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