Emission processes in pulsars
Important processes in magnetic fields : - cyclotron - synchrotron
Curvature radiation => radio emission
Optical & X-ray emission in pulsars
V. high mag fields; e- follow field lines very closely, pitch angle ~ 0
Notes:
In a strong magnetic field, the processes which are likely to be most important are cyclotron (for non-relativistic particles) and synchrotron (relativistic particles). These can produce the optical and X-ray emission of pulsars.
Radio emission is produced by curvature radiation. This is caused by very high magnetic fields when the electrons follow field lines very closely, with a pitch angle close to zero. The filed lines are generally curved so that the transverse acceleration produces radiation.