The observational evidence pertinent to possible kick mechanisms in neutron stars

TL;DR

This paper reviews observational data on pulsars to evaluate proposed mechanisms for their high velocities, ruling out several models based on lack of expected correlations.

Contribution

It provides a critical assessment of various kick mechanisms, eliminating those inconsistent with observed pulsar velocity and magnetic field correlations.

Findings

No correlation between pulsar velocity and magnetic field strength.

Mechanisms predicting alignment of velocity and rotation axis are ruled out.

Single or multiple extended impulses at birth are inconsistent with observations.

Abstract

We examine available observations on pulsars for evidence pertaining to mechanisms proposed to explain the origin of their velocities. We find that mechanisms predicting a correlation between the rotation axis and the pulsar velocity are ruled out. Also, that there is no significant correlation between pulsar magnetic field strengths and velocities. With respect to recent suggestions postulating asymmetric impulses at birth being solely responsible for both the spins and velocities of pulsars, single impulses of any duration and multiple extended duration impulses appear ruled out.