N ov 2 00 3 The intrinsic intensity modulation of PSR B 1937 + 21 at 1410 MHz

The single-pulse properties of the millisecond radio pulsar PSR B1937+21 are studied in the 1410 MHz radio band. Aside from occasional “giant pulses” occurring in restricted regions of pulse phase, the emission appears to be remarkably stable, showing no pulse-to-pulse fluctuations other then those induced by propagation through the interstellar medium. This type of behavior has not been seen in any other pulsar although it was seen in previous 430 MHz observations of this source. The stability of PSR B1937+21 can be understood in the context of the sparking gap model of radio pulsar emission. Given the emission properties of this source at 430 MHz, this model predicts that the emission at all higher frequencies will be just as stable. Since the stability depends on the outflow velocity of the emitting plasma, an upper bound may be placed on its Lorentz factor. Subject headings: pulsars:general, pulsars:individual (PSR B1937+21)