ANALYZING X-RAY PULSAR PROFILES: GEOMETRY AND BEAM PATTERN OF CENTAURUS X-3

摘要

We present an analysis of the energy-dependent asymmetric pulse profile of the X-ray pulsar Cen X-3. We show that the data are compatible with the assumption that the asymmetry is caused by a distorted magnetic dipole field. Based on this assumption, it is possible to decompose the pulse profile into the contributions of the two emission regions at the magnetic poles. The results of the decomposition indicate that Cen X-3 has two equal emission regions which are displaced from antipodal positions by approximately 10° and have a pencil plus fan beam pattern.