On the pulse-width statistics in radio pulsars

Abstract

The Monte Carlo simulations of pulsar periods, pulse-widths and magnetic inclination angles are performed. Using the available observational data sets we study a possible trial parent distribution functions by means of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov significance tests. We also use an additional condition that the numbers of generated interpulses, whether from both magnetic poles or from single pole, are at the observed levels. We conclude that the parent distribution function of magnetic inclination angles is neither flat nor cosine but it is a more complicated function with a local maximum near alpha=25deg and another weaker one near alpha=90deg. The plausible distribution function of pulsar periods is represented by the gamma function. The beaming fraction describing the fraction of observable radio pulsars is about 0.12.