The nature of optical emission by radio pulsars

The mean pitch angle <(psi)over bar> for relativistic particles in a pulsar magnetosphere is calculated taking into account processes leading to the a ppearance of transverse momenta. The estimated mean pitch angle for PSR 065 6+14 is <(psi)over bar> similar to 10(-5). The peak frequency of the synchr otron spectrum of such particles turns out to be in the optical (nu similar to 10(15) Hz). The number density of emitting electrons required to produc e the optical flux observed in PSR 0656+14 is similar to 10(9) cm(-3).