Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Apr 2002
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002aps..aprk11009k&link_type=abstract
American Physical Society, April Meeting, Jointly Sponsored with the High Energy Astrophysics Division (HEAD) of the American As
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Using the exact solution of an axisymmetric pulsar magnetosphere and the conservation laws of the associated MHD flow, we show that the Lorentz factor of the outflowing plasma increases linearly with distance from the light cylinder. Therefore, the ratio of the Poynting to particle energy flux, generically referred to as σ, decreases inversely proportional to the distance, from a large value (typically ~ 10^4)near the light cylinder to σ ~= 1 at a transistion distance R_tr. Beyond this distance the inertial effects of the outflowing plasma become important and the magnetic field geometry must deviate from the almost monopolar form it attains between R_lc and R_tr. We anticipate that this is achieved by collimation of the poloidal field lines toward the rotation axis, ensuring that the magnetic field pressure in the equatorial region will fall-off faster than 1/R^2 (R being the cylindrical radius). This leads both to a value σ << 1 at the nebular reverse shock at distance Rs (Rs >> R_tr) and to a component of the flow perpendicular to the equatorial component, in agreeement with observations of the Crab nebula. We further examine the gamma ray signatures of such linearly accelerating winds in comparison to those of constant gamma, as a means for observationally testing our model.
Contopoulos John
Kazanas Demosthenes
No associations
LandOfFree
Acceleration and Structure of Pulsar Winds: A Linear Accelearator? 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 Acceleration and Structure of Pulsar Winds: A Linear Accelearator?, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Acceleration and Structure of Pulsar Winds: A Linear Accelearator? will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1536420