Chandra Studies of Millisecond Pulsars in Globular Clusters

Abstract

The high resolution X-ray imaging and broad-band moderate resolution spectra enabled by the ACIS cameras on the Chandra X-ray Observatory have opened a new window in our study of millisecond pulsars (MSPs). Given the large excess of MSPs in globular clusters vs. the field, globular clusters are the favored sites for MSP study. Globular clusters (GCs) offer advantages of both known distance and likely MSP formation mechanisms but are complicated (or made more interesting!) by the complexities of subsequent MSP dynamical interactions. Here I review recent X-ray studies, focusing on our recent deep Chandra study of 47Tuc, which provide new constraints on both the spectra (thermal and non thermal) and evolution of MSPs and their encounters with both cluster and field stars.