Rotationally-driven VHE emission from the Vela pulsar

Abstract

The recent detection of pulsed $\gamma$-ray emission from the Vela pulsar in the $\sim10$ to 100 GeV range by H.E.S.S. promises an important potential to probe into the very high energy (VHE) radiation mechanisms of pulsars. The recent detection of pulsed $\gamma$-ray emission from the Vela pulsar in the $\sim10$ to 100 GeV range by H.E.S.S. promises an important potential to probe into the very high energy (VHE) radiation mechanisms of pulsars. We analyze achievable particle energies in the magnetosphere of the Vela pulsar, and calculate the resultant emission properties. Inverse Compton up-scattering of thermal photons from the surface of the star is shown to lead a pulsed VHE contribution reaching into the TeV regime with spectral characteristics compatible with current findings. If confirmed by further observations this could be the second case where rotationally-driven processes turn out to be important to understand the VHE emission in young pulsars.