Pair-production discharges above pulsar polar caps

Journal Article · Wed Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/155285· OSTI ID:7215230

Cheng, A F; Ruderman, M A

It is shown that an electron-positron pair plasma will generally be created above a positively charged polar cap, in various models for ion flow and pair production. A potential drop above a polar cap may arise either from (A) the inertia of freely released ions in a space-charge-limited flow, or from (B) surface binding of ions leading to gap formation. Pair-production discharges which limit this potential drop may arise from (1) Sturrock-type pair-production discharges with pair creation in the stellar magnetic field, or (2) pair production by thermal X-rays from the polar cap surface in the Coulomb field of relativistic ions or electrons and positrons accelerated through the discharge region. In all cases the properties of the outward moving electron-positron pair plasma are similar.

• Research Organization: Columbia University
• OSTI ID: 7215230
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 214:2; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ANTILEPTONS
ANTIMATTER
ANTIPARTICLES
CHARGE DISTRIBUTION
CHARGED PARTICLES
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
IONS
LEPTONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PLASMA
POSITRONS
PULSARS
RADIATIONS
SPACE CHARGE
STAR MODELS
X RADIATION