Matter in Superstrong Magnetic Fields: The Surface of a Neutron Star

In huge magnetic fields ($B\gtrsim {10}^{12}$ G) matter forms a tightly bound, dense ($\gtrsim {10}^4$ g ${\mathrm{cm}}^{-3\mathrm{}}$) solid with properties of a one-dimensional metal and a work function of the order of a keV. Electron field emission from the sharp surface of a pulsar is much easier than ion emission; it is estimated to be cut off when the stellar rotation period exceeds several seconds.