Pulsar magnetospheres: beyond the flat spacetime dipole
Journal Article
·
· Astrophysical Journal
- Department of Physics, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721 (United States)
- Center for the Fundamental Laws of Nature, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138 (United States)
- Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540 (United States)
Most studies of the pulsar magnetosphere have assumed a pure magnetic dipole in flat spacetime. However, recent work suggests that the effects of general relativity are in fact of vital importance and that realistic pulsar magnetic fields will have a significant nondipolar component. We introduce a general analytical method for studying the axisymmetric force-free magnetosphere of a slowly rotating star of arbitrary magnetic field, mass, radius, and moment of inertia, including all the effects of general relativity. We confirm that spacelike current is generically present in the polar caps (suggesting a pair production region), irrespective of the stellar magnetic field. We show that general relativity introduces a ∼60% correction to the formula for the dipolar component of the surface magnetic field inferred from spindown. Finally, we show that the location and shape of the polar caps can be modified dramatically by even modestly strong higher moments. This can affect emission processes occurring near the star and may help explain the modified beam characteristics of millisecond pulsars.
- OSTI ID:
- 22869637
- Journal Information:
- Astrophysical Journal, Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 833; ISSN ASJOAB; ISSN 0004-637X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
ON THE GLOBAL STRUCTURE OF PULSAR FORCE-FREE MAGNETOSPHERE
Time-dependent Force-free Pulsar Magnetospheres: Axisymmetric and Oblique Rotators
Interstellar grains and current flow in pulsar magnetospheres
Journal Article
·
Tue Feb 19 23:00:00 EST 2013
· Astrophysical Journal
·
OSTI ID:22167741
Time-dependent Force-free Pulsar Magnetospheres: Axisymmetric and Oblique Rotators
Technical Report
·
Sun Apr 09 20:00:00 EDT 2006
·
OSTI ID:881123
Interstellar grains and current flow in pulsar magnetospheres
Journal Article
·
Sat Nov 30 23:00:00 EST 1985
· Astrophys. J.; (United States)
·
OSTI ID:5386000