AN ATLAS FOR INTERPRETING γ-RAY PULSAR LIGHT CURVES
AN ATLAS FOR INTERPRETING γ-RAY PULSAR LIGHT CURVES
We have simulated a population of young spin-powered pulsars and computed the beaming pattern and lightcurves for the three main geometrical models: polar cap emission, two-pole caustic ("slot gap") emission and outer magnetosphere emission. The light curve shapes depend sensitively on the magnetic inclination alpha and viewing angle zeta. We …