The pulsar contribution to gamma-rays from the Galactic disc

Abstract

The properties of pulsars at radio frequencies are used as a basis for estimates of the contribution from pulsars to the diffuse gamma-ray flux from the Galactic plane. By taking account both of fluxes from the known gamma-ray pulsars and the upper limits for many others, we find the best estimate of the fraction of the Galactic flux coming from pulsars to be 5–10 per cent. A recent suggestion of a much larger contribution is shown to be very improbable. Some possibly significant correlations between bright pulsars and observed gamma-ray peaks are pointed out.