The Multicomponent Nature of the Vela Pulsar Nonthermal X‐Ray Spectrum

We report on our analysis of a 274 ks observation of the Vela pulsar with theRossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE). The double-peaked, pulsed emission at 2 -30 keV, which we had previously detected during a 93 ks observation, isconfirmed with much improved statistics. There is now clear evidence, both inthe spectrum and the light curve, that the emission in the RXTE band is a blendof two separate non-thermal components. The spectrum of the harder componentconnects smoothly with the OSSE, COMPTEL and EGRET spectrum and the peaks inthe light curve are in phase coincidence with those of the high-energy lightcurve. The spectrum of the softer component is consistent with an extrapolationto the pulsed optical flux, and the second RXTE pulse is in phase coincidencewith the second optical peak. In addition, we see a peak in the 2-8 keV RXTEpulse profile at the radio phase.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Astrophysical Journa