LOFAR, LEAP and beyond: Using next generation telescopes for pulsar astrophysics

Abstract

Radio astronomy has benefited greatly from advances in technology and will continue to do so in the future. In fact, we are experiencing a revolution in the way radio astronomy is conducted as our instruments allow us now to directly "digitize" our photons. This has enormous consequences, since we can greatly benefit from the continuing advances in digital electronics, telecommunication and computing. The results are dramatic increase in observable bandwidths, FoVs, frequency coverage and collecting area. The global efforts will culminate in the construction of the SKA as the world's largest and most powerful telescope. On the way projects like LOFAR, LEAP and others will revolutionize many areas of astrophysics and fundamental physics. Observations of pulsars will play a central role in these scientific endeavours. We briefly summarize here some recent scientific developments that help us in defining our expectations for the the new generation of radio telescopes for pulsar astrophysics.