Medvedev modeled wave diffraction off a circular reflecting region with radially varying index of refraction outside of it to better understand the Crab Nebula’s zebra pattern.

The Crab Pulsar, a remnant of a supernova whose explosion was visible from Earth in 1054, emits a mysterious radio signal known as the "zebra" pattern. This signal has long intrigued scientists ...

In this way, Medvedev determined the Crab Pulsar's plasma matter causes diffraction in the electromagnetic pulses responsible for the neutron star's singular zebra pattern. "This model is the ...