Galactic γ-ray emission from pulsars

The contribution of pulsars to the γ-ray flux from the galactic plane is examined using data from the most recent pulsar surveys. It is assumed that pulsar γ-rays are produced by curvature radiation from relativistic particles above the polar cap and attenuated by pair production in the strong magnetic and electric fields. Assuming that all pulsars produce γ-rays in this way, their luminosities can be predicated as a function of period and magnetic field strength. The distribution of pulsars in the Galaxy is dettermined from data on 328 pulsars detected in three surveys. The Z and R distributions are very sensitive to the mean electron density in the galaxtic plane, as are the total number and birthrate of pulsars in the Galaxy