Radio pulsars -- two old questions (in blessed memory of Ya.N.Istomin)

TL;DR

This paper discusses two longstanding questions in radio pulsar theory: the distribution of inclination angles and the cause of the death line break, proposing explanations based on observational evidence and plasma generation mechanisms.

Contribution

It demonstrates that all inclination angles are realized in pulsars and explains the death line break through secondary plasma generation mechanisms.

Findings

Interpulse pulsars indicate all inclination angles are realized.

The death line break can be explained by secondary plasma generation.

Provides new insights into pulsar magnetic and emission properties.

Abstract

We draw attention to two unanswered questions in radio pulsars' theory. The first one concerns the inclination angles between magnetic and rotation axes. We show that the very existence of interpulse pulsars indicates that all possible angles are realized. The second one is the question of the break of the death line on the PPdot-diagram. We show that this break can be easily explained by a very mechanism of secondary plasma generation.