Asymmetry function of interstellar scintillations of pulsars

A new method for separating intensity variations of a source’s radio emission having various physical natures is proposed. The method is based on the joint analysis of the structure function of intensity variations and the asymmetry function, which is a generalization of the asymmetry coefficient and which characterizes the asymmetry of the distribution function of intensity fluctuations on various scales for inhomogeneitiesin the diffractive scintillation pattern. Relationships for the asymmetry function in the cases of a logarithmic normal distribution of the intensity fluctuations and a normal distribution of the field fluctuations are derived. Theoretical relationships and observational data on interstellar scintillations of pulsars (refractive, diffractive, and weak scintillations) are compared. The data for PSR B0329+54, B1133+16, B1642-03, and B1933+16 pulsars were used for comparison. Pulsar scintillations match the behavior expected for a normal distribution of field fluctuations (diffractive scintillation) or logarithmic normal distribution of intensity fluctuations (refractive and weak scintillation). Analysis of the asymmetry function is a good test for distinguishing scintillations against the background of variations that have different origins.