Interstellar grains and current flow in pulsar magnetospheres

Journal Article · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/163758· OSTI ID:5386000

Cheng, A F

Consequences of interstellar grain entry into radio pulsar magnetospheres are investigated. Ablation and ionization of grain matter within the light cylinder injects charges of both signs throughout the magnetosphere. Electron-positron pair creation cascades result for typical pulsar parameters. A quasi-steady current flow is maintained by these processes, which may yield a solution to the long-standing current closure problem in pulsar magnetospheres. The resulting pulsar model may provide an explanation for the striking observation that pulsar spindown rates are correlated with proper velocities. The observed correlation of the square root of the product of the period and the change in period with the pulsar proper motion is interpreted as a correlation between current flow and velocity arising from a dependence of current flow on the rate of interstellar grain destruction in the magnetosphere. In this model, grain destruction occurs within the light cylinder if the average neutron star temperature is near 10 to the 5th K. Furthermore, the true pulsar magnetic field exceeds the value conventionally inferred from the square root of the product of the period and the change in period if the current is less than the Goldreich-Julian (1969) value. In general, however, the model retains many of the phenomenological successes of earlier polar cap models. 36 references.

• Research Organization: Johns Hopkins Univ., Laurel, MD
• OSTI ID: 5386000
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 299; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640103* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
& X-Ray Sources-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ATMOSPHERES
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
CURRENT DENSITY
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON EMISSION
EMISSION
INTERSTELLAR GRAINS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
NEUTRON STARS
PARTICLES
PHOTOELECTRIC EMISSION
PULSARS
RADIATIONS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
SHOCK WAVES
STARS
STELLAR ATMOSPHERES
STELLAR MAGNETOSPHERES
THERMAL RADIATION