Evolution of the angles between magnetic moments and rotation axes in radio pulsars

Abstract

ABSTRACT Distribution of angles β between magnetic moments and rotation axes for radio pulsars with periods in the interval 0.1 s < P < 2 s has been obtained. This distribution is rather wide with a mean value of 23°. For the bulk of pulsars, the inclination of axes is characterized by moderate values of angles β. About 60 per cent of pulsars considered have angles in the interval from 20° to 45°. The useful correlation between kinematic tkin and characteristic ages τ has been detected. The relationship between tkin and τ can be used to make a conversion of catalogue values of τ to more real pulsar ages tkin. It will be important in further pulsar investigations. It is shown that inclination angles for pulsars with 0.1 s < P < 2 s decrease with their ages. This decrease is the best described by the power law. Values of angles β have been calculated for pulsars, which are at the moment in SNRs. These angles are not changed markedly during 105 yr. Their decrease begins much later.