Simultaneous single-pulse observations of radio pulsars

III. The behaviour of circular polarization

¹ Max-Planck Institut für Radioastronomie, Auf dem Hügel 69, 53121 Bonn, Germany
² School of Physics, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
³ Jodrell Bank Observatory, University of Manchester, Macclesfield, Chesire SK11 9DL, UK

Corresponding author: A. Karastergiou, aris@physics.usy.edu.au

Received: 24 December 2002
Accepted: 18 March 2003

Abstract

We investigate circular polarization in pulsar radio emission through simultaneous observations of PSR B1133+16 at two frequencies. In particular, we investigate the association of the handedness of circular polarization with the orthogonal polarization mode phenomenon at two different frequencies. We find the association to be significant across the pulse for PSR B1133+16, making a strong case for orthogonal polarization modes determining the observed circular polarization. The association however is not perfect and decreases with frequency. Based on these results and assuming emission occurs in superposed orthogonal polarization modes, we present a technique of mode decomposition based on single pulses. Average profiles of the polarization of each mode can then be computed by adding the individual mode-separated single pulses. We show that decomposing single pulses produces different average profiles for the orthogonal polarization modes from decomposing average profiles. Finally, we show sample single pulses and discuss the implications of the frequency dependence of the correlation of the circular polarization with the orthogonal polarization mode phenomenon.