English

Are there real orthogonal polarization modes in pulsar radio emission?

Astrophysics 2015-06-24 v1

Abstract

The Orthogonal Polarization Modes (OPM) have been reported observationally and accepted widely by pulsar researchers. However, no acceptable theory can show the origin of the OPM, which becomes a mystery in pulsar research field. Here a possible way to solve this mystery is presented. We ask a question: Does there exist any real so-called OPM in pulsar radiation? It is proposed in this paper that the `observed OPM' in individual pulses could be the results of depolarization of pulsar radiation and the observational uncertainties originated from polarimeter in observation. A possible way to check this idea is suggested. If the idea is verified, the pulsar research would be influenced significantly in theory and in observation.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.astro-ph/0007056,
  title  = {Are there real orthogonal polarization modes in pulsar radio emission?},
  author = {R. X. Xu and G. J. Qiao},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/0007056},
  year   = {2015}
}

Comments

7 pages, 5 figures