Pulsars - Rotating neutron star produces EM radiation?

AI Thread Summary
Pulsars are rotating neutron stars that emit electromagnetic radiation due to their strong magnetic fields and surrounding stellar debris. Although neutrons themselves do not carry electric charge, the presence of charged particles, such as quarks within neutrons, contributes to the star's magnetic moment. The rotation of the neutron star, along with accretion of material and its magnetic properties, leads to the emission of high-energy electromagnetic radiation. The strong magnetic field is inherited from the progenitor star, allowing for significant radiation output even with a small percentage of charged particles. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for comprehending pulsar behavior and their electromagnetic emissions.
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Pulsars -- Rotating neutron star produces EM radiation?

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.
 
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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.
 


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.
 


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


Thank you very much for the help.
 


shounakbhatta said:
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.


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.
 

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