An axisymmetric magnetohydrodynamic model for the Crab pulsar wind bubble

Details An axisymmetric magnetohydrodynamic model for the Crab pulsar wind bubble An axisymmetric magnetohydrodynamic model for the Crab pulsar wind bubble

Sep 1992

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1992apj...397..187b&link_type=abstract

Astrophysical Journal, Part 1 (ISSN 0004-637X), vol. 397, no. 1, p. 187-195.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

86

Crab Nebula, Magnetic Field Configurations, Magnetohydrodynamics, Pulsars, Synchrotron Radiation, Emissivity, Magnetic Field Reconnection, Polarized Light, Toruses

Scientific paper

We extend Kennel and Coroniti's (1984) spherical magnetohydrodynamic models for the Crab Nebula to include the pinching effect of the toroidal magnetic field. Since the bulk nebular flow is likely to be very submagnetosonic, a quasi-static treatment is possible. We show that the pinching effect can be responsible for the observed elongation of the pulsar wind bubble, as indicated by the surface brightness contours of optical synchrotron radiation. From the observed elongation we estimate a value for sigma, the ratio of Poynting flux to plasma kinetic energy flux in the free pulsar wind, which is consistent with previous results from spherical models. Using the inferred magnetic field configuration inside the pulsar wind bubble, combined with the observed dimensions of the X-ray nebula, we are able to constrain the particle distribution function. We conclude that, for a power-law injection function, the maximum energy has to be much larger in the pulsar equatorial region than in the polar region.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

An axisymmetric magnetohydrodynamic model for the Crab pulsar wind bubble does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with An axisymmetric magnetohydrodynamic model for the Crab pulsar wind bubble, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and An axisymmetric magnetohydrodynamic model for the Crab pulsar wind bubble will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1766171