Reviewing Pulsar Spectra

Abstract

Problems solved? Pulsar research must be considered - 35 years after the detection of pulsars - a mature science, where the basic questions have been raised and discussed. One would hope that many if not all generic and important problems have found some kind of answer and that scientific work can concentrate now on specific details requiring more in depth investigation. We know, however, that this picture is not true. Even well studied areas did in the past not always lead to a general accepted model and some were investigated at the beginning with enthusiasm but left behind. This paper will concentrate on one narrow topic, pulsar radio spectra. It is the attempt to work out, what features are now generally accepted, but also what features are still in discussion after so many years of pulsar research. In this sense the paper will enlighten in a personal view those aspects which are still under discussion.