Millisecond Pulsars

This book provides a comprehensive overview of millisecond pulsars, covering their physics, evolution, and applications in astronomy. It includes contributions from internationally recognized experts and covers topics such as pulsations powered by stellar spin, accretion, thermonuclear burning, stellar evolution, and extreme physics of super-dense stellar cores. The book is valuable for professional astronomers and graduate students alike, as it offers a deep understanding of these fascinating objects and their role in shaping our understanding of the universe.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 321 pages
Publication date: 16 March 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive book, penned by a team of esteemed international experts, presents a thorough exploration of millisecond pulsars, encompassing a wide range of topics in a single concise and cohesive volume. The chapters, written by these experts, delve into various aspects of millisecond pulsars, including their pulsations powered by stellar spin, accretion and thermonuclear burning of accreted matter, their physics and utility, stellar evolution, and the extreme physics of super-dense stellar cores. Additionally, the book provides substantial background material and incorporates recent theoretical and multi-wavelength observational results, making it an invaluable resource for professional astronomers and graduate students alike.

The behavior of the strong nuclear interaction and the matter constituents at ultrahigh densities in neutron star cores are central questions that millisecond pulsars are helping to answer. By studying these rapidly rotating, highly magnetized neutron stars, researchers can gain insights into the fundamental constituents of matter and their interactions under extreme conditions that cannot be replicated in terrestrial laboratories.

One of the key aspects of millisecond pulsars is their pulsations, which are caused by the periodic rotation of the star. These pulsations emit radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum, ranging from radio waves to X-rays, and provide valuable information about the properties of the pulsar and its surrounding environment. The study of millisecond pulsars has also led to the discovery of new phenomena, such as pulsar wind nebulae and magnetars, which are some of the most extreme objects in the universe.

In addition to their scientific significance, millisecond pulsars are also important for astrophysics and cosmology. They can be used as standard candles to measure distances and timescales in the universe, and their properties can help us understand the formation and evolution of galaxies. Millisecond pulsars are also valuable tools for studying the behavior of black holes and other celestial objects, as they can provide insights into the mechanisms that govern their behavior.

As the next generation of instruments becomes available, millisecond pulsars will continue to play a crucial role in our understanding of the universe. These instruments, such as the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) and the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), will allow us to observe millisecond pulsars with greater precision and sensitivity, and will enable us to answer some of the most pressing questions in astrophysics.

In conclusion, millisecond pulsars are remarkable natural laboratories that provide us with a unique opportunity to investigate the fundamental constituents of matter and their interactions under extreme conditions. This comprehensive book, written by a team of esteemed international experts, is a valuable resource for anyone interested in this field. As we continue to advance our understanding of these fascinating objects, millisecond pulsars will undoubtedly remain at the forefront of astrophysics and cosmology.

Introduction:
Millisecond pulsars (MSPs) are rapidly rotating neutron stars that emit pulsed radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum. These objects are of great interest to astronomers and astrophysicists due to their unique properties and the insights they can provide into the nature of matter and the universe. In this essay, we will explore the behavior of millisecond pulsars, including their pulsations, accretion, and magnetosphere, and discuss their significance in astrophysics and cosmology.

Pulsations:
Millisecond pulsars are known for their pulsed radiation, which is emitted in regular intervals. The period of these pulsations can range from a few milliseconds to a few seconds, depending on the size and mass of the pulsar. The pulsations are caused by the rotation of the pulsar, which is powered by the gravitational energy released by the accretion of matter onto the star.

The accretion process is a complex phenomenon that involves the transfer of matter from a companion star or from the interstellar medium. The matter is drawn towards the pulsar by its gravitational field, and once it reaches the surface of the star, it is heated by the thermonuclear burning of the material. This process releases a significant amount of energy, which is used to power the pulsar's rotation.

The pulsar's magnetosphere is a region of space around the pulsar that is dominated by its magnetic field. The magnetic field is generated by the rotation of the pulsar and is responsible for the pulsed radiation emitted by the star. The magnetosphere is also responsible for the acceleration of particles and the emission of radiation at all wavelengths, including radio waves, X-rays, and gamma rays.

Accretion:
Accretion is a key process in the evolution of millisecond pulsars. As matter accretes onto the pulsar, it heats up and releases energy, which is used to power the pulsar's rotation. The accretion process can be divided into two stages: the accretion disk and the accretion stream.

The accretion disk is a region of space where the matter is heated and compressed by the pulsar's gravitational field. The accretion disk is surrounded by a ring of material called the accretion stream, which is composed of material that has been ejected from the pulsar's surface. The accretion stream is responsible for the ejection of matter from the pulsar's surface and the formation of a jet of material that is directed away from the pulsar.

The accretion process can be affected by a variety of factors, including the mass and spin of the pulsar, the mass and spin of its companion star, and the density of the interstellar medium. The accretion rate of matter onto the pulsar can vary significantly, depending on these factors.

Magnetosphere:
The magnetosphere of a millisecond pulsar is a region of space where the pulsar's magnetic field dominates the gravitational and electromagnetic forces. The magnetosphere is responsible for the acceleration of particles and the emission of radiation at all wavelengths, including radio waves, X-rays, and gamma rays.

The magnetosphere is generated by the rotation of the pulsar and is composed of a magnetic field that is oriented in the direction of the pulsar's spin. The magnetic field is generated by the interaction of the pulsar's electrically charged particles with the magnetic field of the interstellar medium. The magnetic field is also affected by the presence of a companion star, which can affect the shape and size of the magnetosphere.

The magnetosphere of a millisecond pulsar can be affected by a variety of factors, including the strength of the magnetic field, the density of the interstellar medium, and the presence of a companion star. The magnetosphere can also be affected by the presence of a magnetic field from a nearby galaxy, which can cause the pulsar to spin faster or slower.

Significance in Astrophysics and Cosmology:
Millisecond pulsars have a significant impact on astrophysics and cosmology. They can be used as standard candles to measure distances and timescales in the universe, and their properties can help us understand the formation and evolution of galaxies. Millisecond pulsars can also be used to study the behavior of black holes and other celestial objects, as they can provide insights into the mechanisms that govern their behavior.

Millisecond pulsars can also be used to study the strong nuclear interaction and the matter constituents at ultrahigh densities in neutron star cores. The strong nuclear interaction is a fundamental force in the universe that governs the behavior of matter and energy at the atomic level. Millisecond pulsars are unique in that they can provide us with a direct measurement of the strong nuclear interaction, as they are able to observe the effects of the strong nuclear interaction on the pulsar's magnetic field.

In conclusion, millisecond pulsars are a fascinating and important class of celestial objects that have a significant impact on astrophysics and cosmology. They are unique in that they are able to provide us with a direct measurement of the strong nuclear interaction and the matter constituents at ultrahigh densities in neutron star cores. As we continue to advance our understanding of these objects, we will be able to gain a deeper understanding of the nature of matter and the universe.

Weight: 522g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030852009
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022