Pulsars and Millisecond Pulsars II: Deep diving into the Evolutionary Mechanisms

TL;DR

This paper explores the physical processes and environmental factors influencing the evolution of pulsars and millisecond pulsars, integrating observational data with theoretical models to understand their formation and transformation mechanisms.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolutionary pathways of pulsars and MSPs, emphasizing the roles of accretion, magnetic braking, and stellar interactions across different environments.

Findings

Different evolutionary mechanisms dominate in the Galactic Field versus Globular Clusters.

Key uncertainties remain in current models of pulsar and MSP evolution.

Numerical simulations help identify the main channels of pulsar formation.

Abstract

This second paper in our series investigates the evolutionary mechanisms that shape pulsars and millisecond pulsars (MSPs) across different astrophysical environments. We focus on the physical processes that govern spin evolution, magnetic field decay, binary interactions, and recycling pathways. Using observational constraints together with theoretical models, we examine how accretion, magnetic braking, and dynamical encounters contribute to the long-term evolution of compact objects. We also explore how these mechanisms differ between the Galactic Field and Globular Clusters, where stellar densities and interaction rates vary significantly. By integrating insights from population studies and numerical tools such as NBODY6++GPU, CMC, and COMPASS, we aim to clarify the dominant channels that lead to the formation and transformation of pulsars and MSPs. Our results highlight key uncertainties in current models and outline the physical ingredients required for more accurate simulations of compact object evolution.