  Spectacular results of pulsar observations in X-ray and gamma-ray domains
gave a new boost to theoretical models of pulsar magnetospheric activity. A
challenging aspect of these efforts is that lightcurves and broadband energy
spectra of the brightest HE sources exhibit unexpected richness of features,
making each object almost a unique case to be interpreted with a custom-made
model. This review offers our subjective account of how the models of
high-energy radiation used within the framework of SCLF polar-cap scenarios
tackle these challenges. We describe major characteristics of all radiative
processes relevant for modeling the observed features. Then we address
successes as well as noticeable disadvantages of these models upon their
confrontation with the available data.

Astrophysics