Pulsar Physics and GLAST

TL;DR

This paper discusses how GLAST LAT observations will enhance understanding of pulsar physics by increasing detected pulsars, improving spectral measurements, and testing models of particle acceleration and radiation mechanisms.

Contribution

It highlights the potential of GLAST LAT to significantly advance pulsar studies through increased detections and detailed spectral and pulse profile analyses.

Findings

Expected increase in detected gamma-ray pulsars, including millisecond pulsars.

Ability to measure high-energy spectra and spectral cutoffs.

Potential to test magnetospheric models with phase-resolved spectra.

Abstract

Rotation-powered pulsars are excellent laboratories for study of particle acceleration as well as fundamental physics of strong gravity, strong magnetic fields, high densities and relativity. I will review the outstanding questions in pulsar physics and the prospects for finding answers with GLAST LAT observations. LAT observations should significantly increase the number of detected radio-loud and radio-quiet gamma-ray pulsars, including millisecond pulsars, giving much better statistics for elucidating population characteristics, will measure the high-energy spectrum and the shape of spectral cutoffs and determine pulse profiles for a variety of pulsars of different age. Further, measurement of phase-resolved spectra and energy dependent pulse profiles of the brighter pulsars should allow detailed tests of magnetospheric particle acceleration and radiation mechanisms, by comparing data with theoretical models that have been developed.