Multi-telescope studies of neutron stars [Elektronische Ressource] / vorgelegt von Kosmas Lazaridis

Multi-Telescope Studies of Neutron StarsINAUGURAL-DISSERTATIONzurErlangung des Doktorgradesder Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakulta¨tder Universita¨t zu Ko¨lnvorgelegt vonKosmas Lazaridisaus Thessaloniki, GriechenlandKo¨ln 2009Berichterstatter: Prof. Dr. J. Anton ZensusProf. Dr. Andreas EckartTag der letzten mu¨ndlichen Pru¨fung: 30. Oktober 2009AbstractNeutron stars are unique stellar remnants with extreme properties, as their density and magneticfield. Their study can be the key to a number of unanswered problems in fundamental physicsand astronomy, ranging from stellar evolution to strong field gravity. One of the best waysof studying these objects is with observations at radio wavelengths, the efficiency of whichcan be vastly improved with the combination of data from multiple radiotelescopes. In thisthesis, we use the largest European radiotelescopes for performing high quality studies of theproperties of objects belonging into two separate categories of neutron stars, millisecond pulsarsand magnetars.In the first part of this thesis (Chapter 2), a complete description of the observing systemsand calibration procedures for the multiple telescopes used is presented.