Toward the Quasi–Steady State Electrodynamics of a Neutron Star
Open Access
- 20 August 1997
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Astronomical Society in The Astrophysical Journal
- Vol. 485 (2) , 735-746
- https://doi.org/10.1086/304457
Abstract
We consider the electrodynamics of a rotating magnetized neutron star with allowance for the quasi-steady state regime of charged particle ejection from the polar cap into the inner magnetosphere. We derive basic equations within the framework of a general relativistic formalism and present the analytic solutions. We demonstrate that the quasi-steady state supply of electrons into the region of open field lines reduces the total power put into the acceleration of primary particles, although the total power corresponding to a steady state solution in general relativity is increased compared to the flat-space solution. Also, we illustrate that temporarily modulated ejection of electrons from the stellar surface results in substantial modulation of an accelerating electric field and charge density along the open field lines. We briefly outline the implications of this effect for the pulsars.Keywords
This publication has 32 references indexed in Scilit:
- Gamma-Ray Pulsars: Emission from Extended Polar CAP CascadesThe Astrophysical Journal, 1996
- Polar CAP models of gamma-ray pulsars: Emision from single poles of nearly aligned rotatorsThe Astrophysical Journal, 1994
- Pair creation above pulsar polar caps - Geometrical structure and energetics of slot gapsThe Astrophysical Journal, 1983
- The mode-switching phenomenon in pulsarsThe Astrophysical Journal, 1982
- Electromagnetic cascades in pulsarsThe Astrophysical Journal, 1982
- The Slot Gap Model of PulsarsPublished by Springer Nature ,1981
- Pair formation above pulsar polar caps - Structure of the low altitude acceleration zoneThe Astrophysical Journal, 1979
- Pair-production discharges above pulsar polar capsThe Astrophysical Journal, 1977
- Pulsar AP 2016+28 - High-frequency periodicity in the pulse microstructureThe Astrophysical Journal, 1976
- Gravitational collapse of magnetic neutron starsAstrophysics and Space Science, 1970