The magnetic fields of anomalous X-ray pulsars

Özel, Feryal and Güver, Tolga and Göğüş, Ersin (2008) The magnetic fields of anomalous X-ray pulsars. In: 40 years of pulsars: millisecond pulsars, magnetars and more, Motreal (Canada)

[thumbnail of 0712.0009v1.pdf] PDF
0712.0009v1.pdf

Download (286kB)

Abstract

Anomalous X-ray Pulsars (AXPs) belong to a class of neutron stars believed to harbor the strongest magnetic fields in the universe, as indicated by their energetic bursts and their rapid spindowns. We have developed a theoretical model that takes into account processes in the atmospheres and magnetospheres of ultramagnetic neutron stars, as well as the effects of their strong gravitational fields on the observable properties. Using this model, we have analyzed the X-ray spectra of a number of AXPs. We find that in all cases, the X-ray spectra are described very well with this emission model. The spectroscopically measured magnetic field strengths of these sources are in close agreement with the values inferred from their spindown properties and provide independent evidence for their magnetar nature. The analysis of spectral data using this physical model also sheds light on the long-term evolution of AXPs.
Item Type: Papers in Conference Proceedings
Subjects: Q Science > QB Astronomy
Q Science > QC Physics
Divisions: Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences > Basic Sciences > Physics
Depositing User: Ersin Göğüş
Date Deposited: 08 Nov 2008 15:02
Last Modified: 26 Apr 2022 08:47
URI: https://research.sabanciuniv.edu/id/eprint/10143

Actions (login required)

View Item
View Item