Galactic distribution, production rate and evolution of pulsar luminosity

The radial distribution of pulsars in the Galaxy is investigated. It is shown that this distribution has a circular structure with the average width 7-8 kpc. The surface density distribution of pulsars inside the circle reaches maximum at R=5.2+-0.4 kpc and then decreases rapidly, showing a small gradient in the direction to the galactic centre. The total number of pulsars with the luminosity 3x1026<=L<=3x1029 erg/s is estimated and their production rate in the Galaxy is obtained, νsub(p)0.027+-0.009 yr-1 or one pulsar in 37sub(-9)sup(+18) yrs. This value is the upper limit. The evolution of pulsar luminosity with the age is investigated and it is obtained that L=csub(2)tsup(-μ) where c2=(4.3+-3.9)x1035 and μ=(1.3+-0.09), t is in yrs L - in erg/s. Proceeding from this law, the true age of pulsars with the luminosity L>=3x1026 erg/s is estimated to be equal to t=(3.6+-0.4)x106 yr. This value well agrees to the estimations of ''kinematic'' and the mean characteristic age determined from young pulsars