X-ray pulsar models. II - Comptonized spectra and pulse shapes

Pulse shapes and spectra for various X-ray pulsar models, including simple self-emitting or externally illuminated slabs and columns, are calculated. A discrete-ordinate transfer scheme with eight angles x 32 frequencies x two polarizations is used, and bulk motions and inhomogeneities are ignored. With these simplifications, the calculated pulse shapes, cyclotron profiles, and continua as a function of phase angle are compared against observations. This indicates that slab models are in better general agreement with observations than column models. The possibility of determining the cyclotron energy by means of the pulse shapes is discussed.