Millisecond pulsars - A new population of gamma ray sources?

Abstract

A discussion is presented focusing on the origin of millisecond pulsars as part of a continuing effort in finding out whether or not they are gamma ray emitters. It is proposed that there may be as many as 10,000 millisecond pulsars throughout the Galaxy, as suggested by fairly conservative scaling. If so, then they may make a significant contribution to the gamma ray background. The discussion concludes with a speculation regarding the recently discovered 1.6 millisecond eclipsing binary pulsar.