Pulsar Kick: Status and Perspective

TL;DR

This paper reviews the current understanding of pulsar kicks, discussing various hypotheses like hydrodynamic instabilities, neutrino emission, magnetic asymmetries, and potential new physics, to explain the high velocities of pulsars.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of existing theories on pulsar kicks and explores future research directions in understanding this astrophysical phenomenon.

Findings

Hydrodynamic instabilities may contribute to pulsar kicks.

Anisotropic neutrino emission is a plausible mechanism.

Magnetic field asymmetries could influence pulsar velocities.

Abstract

The high speeds seen in rapidly rotating pulsars after supernova explosions present a longstanding puzzle in astrophysics. Numerous theories have been suggested over the years to explain this sudden "kick" imparted to the neutron star, yet each comes with its own set of challenges and limitations. Key explanations for pulsar kicks include hydrodynamic instabilities in supernovae, anisotropic neutrino emission, asymmetries in the magnetic field, binary system disruption, and physics beyond the Standard Model. Unraveling the origins of pulsar kicks not only enhances our understanding of supernova mechanisms but also opens up possibilities for exploring new physics. In this brief review, we will introduce pulsar kicks, examine the leading hypotheses, and explore future directions for this intriguing phenomenon.