Pulsars -- Rotating neutron star produces EM radiation?

shounakbhatta

Hello,

If a neutron star is composed of neutrons, which do not carry any electric charge then how it's rotation produces pulsars which are electromagnetic radiation?

Thanks.

mfb

A neutron star can have an outer layer of regular atoms, and even some "atmosphere" of hot plasma. Apart from that, neutrons have charged components (quarks) inside, and they have a magnetic moment.

SteamKing

Neutron stars also tend to have lots of stellar debris surrounding them as well. When this material is accelerated by the gravitational pull of the star, high energy EM radiation is emitted.

Chronos

Three basic mechansism are believed to power pulsar beaming
1. Rotation
2. Accretion
3. Magnetism

shounakbhatta

Thank you very much for the help.

ImaLooser

A strong magnetic field is inherited from the parent star when the neutron star is formed. The star isn't 100% neutrons. Even at 3% or so charged particles that is a great many, so there is a strong magnetic field generated too.