Half-bare positron in the inner gap of a pulsar

Abstract

The pulsed radiation from the Crab Pulsar consists of the main pulse (MP) and inter pulse (IP), as well as of the extra pulse components appearing at certain frequencies. One of the mysteries of these data, found by Moffett and Hankins twenty years ago, is the shift of the IP at high radio frequencies compared to lower ones and return to its previous position in the higher-frequency optical and X-ray range. In previous paper we proposed the explanation of these mysterious changes with the frequency, applying the idea of the reflection of curvature radiation by relativistic positrons from the stellar surface. Presently we focus on the additional contribution of transition radiation, emitted when positron hits the surface, to the total pulse produced by the particle. It is shown that due to the 'half-bare' state of positron in the polar gap the considered contribution is significantly suppressed comparing to the one of reflected curvature radiation.