ON THE GLOBAL STRUCTURE OF PULSAR FORCE-FREE MAGNETOSPHERE

Journal Article · Wed Feb 20 04:00:00 EST 2013 · Astrophysical Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/764/2/129· OSTI ID:22167741

The dipolar magnetic field structure of a neutron star is modified by the plasma originating in the pulsar magnetosphere. In the simplest case of a stationary axisymmetric force-free magnetosphere, a self-consistent description of the fields and currents is given by the well-known pulsar equation. Here we revise the commonly used boundary conditions of the problem in order to incorporate the plasma-producing gaps and to provide a framework for a truly self-consistent treatment of the pulsar magnetosphere. A generalized multipolar solution of the pulsar equation is found, which, as compared to the customary split monopole solution, is suggested to better represent the character of the dipolar force-free field at large distances. In particular, the outer gap location entirely inside the light cylinder implies that beyond the light cylinder the null and critical lines should be aligned and become parallel to the equator at a certain altitude. Our scheme of the pulsar force-free magnetosphere, which will hopefully be followed by extensive analytic and numerical studies, may have numerous implications for different fields of pulsar research.

• OSTI ID: 22167741
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal, Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 764; ISSN ASJOAB; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
ASTRONOMY
ASTROPHYSICS
AXIAL SYMMETRY
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
INTERSTELLAR MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MATHEMATICAL SOLUTIONS
NEUTRON STARS
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS
PLASMA
PULSARS
STELLAR MAGNETOSPHERES