GEOMETRICAL ANALYSIS OF AVERAGE PULSAR PROFILES USING MULTICOMPONENT GAUSSIAN FITS AT SEVERAL FREQUENCIES .1. METHOD AND ANALYSIS

We describe the results obtained from the analysis of pulsar profiles at several frequencies. Details are given of a unique procedure for de termining the number of components of a profile and fitting them with Gaussians. All high SIN pulsar profiles can be accurately described us ing only a small number (usually less than or equal to 5) of Gaussian components. The method allows an unambiguous and unique determination of profile characteristics such as the profile width, the number, widt hs and positions of components. As a result, we are able to characteri ze the spectral development of a pulsar's profile and make inferences about the emission geometry. We give precise opening angles, their fre quency dependence and the radius to frequency dependence of the emissi on for several pulsars.