Quantum Vacuum influence on the evolution of Pulsars

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that Quantum Vacuum Friction significantly influences neutron star evolution, suggesting magnetars are evolved pulsars, and provides a coherent model for the Crab pulsar's period and braking index evolution.

Contribution

It introduces Quantum Vacuum Friction as a key factor in neutron star evolution and models the Crab pulsar's period and braking index over time.

Findings

Quantum Vacuum Friction affects neutron star spin-down.

Magnetars can be explained as evolved pulsars.

Predicted braking index derivative for Crab pulsar.

Abstract

In this letter we show that Quantum Vacuum Friction (QVF) should play an important role in neutron star evolution. Taking into account this effect we show that magnetars could be understood as a natural evolution of standard pulsars. For the Crab pulsar, of which the characteristic age is known, we present the first completely coherent time evolution for its period and braking index. For this pulsar we also give the predicted value of the current first derivative of the braking index, providing a very important test to confirm QVF.