Analyzing X-ray pulsar profiles: Geometry and beam pattern of centaurus X-3

U. Kraus; S. Blum; J. Schulte; H. Ruder; P. Mészáros

doi:10.1086/177653

Analyzing X-ray pulsar profiles: Geometry and beam pattern of centaurus X-3

U. Kraus, S. Blum, J. Schulte, H. Ruder, P. Mészáros

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32 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present an analysis of the energy-dependent asymmetric pulse profile of the X-ray pulsar Cen X-3. We show that the data are compatible with the assumption that the asymmetry is caused by a distorted magnetic dipole field. Based on this assumption, it is possible to decompose the pulse profile into the contributions of the two emission regions at the magnetic poles. The results of the decomposition indicate that Cen X-3 has two equal emission regions which are displaced from antipodal positions by approximately 10° and have a pencil plus fan beam pattern.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	794-805
Number of pages	12
Journal	Astrophysical Journal
Volume	467
Issue number	2 PART I
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1086/177653
State	Published - 1996

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Space and Planetary Science

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10.1086/177653

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title = "Analyzing X-ray pulsar profiles: Geometry and beam pattern of centaurus X-3",

abstract = "We present an analysis of the energy-dependent asymmetric pulse profile of the X-ray pulsar Cen X-3. We show that the data are compatible with the assumption that the asymmetry is caused by a distorted magnetic dipole field. Based on this assumption, it is possible to decompose the pulse profile into the contributions of the two emission regions at the magnetic poles. The results of the decomposition indicate that Cen X-3 has two equal emission regions which are displaced from antipodal positions by approximately 10° and have a pencil plus fan beam pattern.",

author = "U. Kraus and S. Blum and J. Schulte and H. Ruder and P. M{\'e}sz{\'a}ros",

year = "1996",

doi = "10.1086/177653",

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volume = "467",

pages = "794--805",

journal = "Astrophysical Journal",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Analyzing X-ray pulsar profiles

T2 - Geometry and beam pattern of centaurus X-3

AU - Kraus, U.

AU - Blum, S.

AU - Schulte, J.

AU - Ruder, H.

AU - Mészáros, P.

PY - 1996

Y1 - 1996

N2 - We present an analysis of the energy-dependent asymmetric pulse profile of the X-ray pulsar Cen X-3. We show that the data are compatible with the assumption that the asymmetry is caused by a distorted magnetic dipole field. Based on this assumption, it is possible to decompose the pulse profile into the contributions of the two emission regions at the magnetic poles. The results of the decomposition indicate that Cen X-3 has two equal emission regions which are displaced from antipodal positions by approximately 10° and have a pencil plus fan beam pattern.

AB - We present an analysis of the energy-dependent asymmetric pulse profile of the X-ray pulsar Cen X-3. We show that the data are compatible with the assumption that the asymmetry is caused by a distorted magnetic dipole field. Based on this assumption, it is possible to decompose the pulse profile into the contributions of the two emission regions at the magnetic poles. The results of the decomposition indicate that Cen X-3 has two equal emission regions which are displaced from antipodal positions by approximately 10° and have a pencil plus fan beam pattern.

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JO - Astrophysical Journal

JF - Astrophysical Journal

IS - 2 PART I

ER -

Analyzing X-ray pulsar profiles: Geometry and beam pattern of centaurus X-3

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