Resonant inverse Compton scattering by secondary pulsar plasma

Abstract

We consider resonant inverse Compton scattering of thermal photons by secondary particles above the pulsar polar gap. The process appears to be an essential energy loss mechanism for the particles. The distribution function of the secondary plasma particles is found to be strongly affected by the scattering. It becomes two-humped implying the development of two-stream instability. The resonantly upscattered Compton photons are found to gain energy of 1 - 10 MeV forming an additional component in the pulsar gamma-ray spectrum. The corresponding gamma-ray flux is estimated as well.