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Force, Megan

Physics

2011

MS

Highly polarized radio emission from pulsars sheds light upon stellar emission mechanisms, as well as the conditions of neutron star birth and the properties of the magnetic field of the Galaxy. Recent Arecibo observations of the bright five-component pulsar B1737+13 have facilitated a comprehensive new polarimetric study of its pulse-sequence modulation phenomena. Analyses find evidence for a rotating carousel of emission subbeams originating near the stellar surface. Measures of the rotation of the plane of linear polarization of pulsars in the interstellar medium lead to determination of the strength of the galactic magnetic field along the observer's line of sight. The relationship between the rotational and velocity vectors in pulsars is investigated, in order to determine the direction of the natal 'kick' delivered to the pulsar during the supernova of a massjve parent star. Absolute polarization angles are compared with published values for the proper motion angles of pulsars, with differences suggesting parallel or perpendicular offsets. The determination of the orientations of particular polarization modes is essential in the identification of vector alignments, and hence the explanation of observed high pulsar velocities.