The cumulative luminosity distribution functions ( CLFs ) of radio millisecond pulsars ( MSPs ) in globular clusters ( GCs ) and in the Galactic field at a frequency of 1.4 GHz have been examined .
Assuming a functional form , N \propto L ^ { q } where N is the number of MSPs and L is the luminosity at 1.4 GHz , it is found that the CLFs significantly differ with a steeper slope , q = -0.83 \pm 0.05 , in GCs than in the Galactic field ( q = -0.48 \pm 0.04 ) , suggesting a different formation or evolutionary history of MSPs in these two regions of the Galaxy .
To probe the production mechanism of MSPs in clusters , a search of the possible relationships between the MSP population and cluster properties was carried out .
The results of an investigation of 9 GCs indicate positive correlations between the MSP population and the stellar encounter rate and metallicity .
This provides additional evidence suggesting that stellar dynamical interactions are important in the formation of the MSP population in GCs .