Astrophysics of isolated neutron stars: radioquiet neutron stars and magnetars

Abstract

In this paper we review present state of theoretical and observational exploration of isolated neutron stars. We mainly discuss objects which do not show usual radiopulsar activity. We include into our review the following types of objects: dim X-ray sources in the Galactic disk and in globular clusters; compact X-ray sources in supernova remnants; anomalous X-ray pulsars; soft gamma repeaters; Geminga. Also we briefly discuss related types of objects: isolated black holes, quark stars and supernovae. We review basic physical processes connected with evolution of isolated neutron stars: cooling; magnetic field decay; period evolution; magnetospheric processes, accretion. We discuss populational synthesis of isolated neutron stars of different types.