Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2005-03-14
Astrophys.J. 631 (2005) 456-465
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
21 pages, 6 figures, ApJ submitted
Scientific paper
10.1086/432498
A time-dependent model for pair creation in a pulsar magnetosphere is developed. It is argued that the parallel electric field that develops in a charge-starved region (a gap) of a pulsar magnetosphere oscillates with large amplitude. Electrons and positrons are accelerated periodically and the amplitude of the oscillations is assumed large enough to cause creation of upgoing and downgoing pairs at different phases of the oscillation. With a charge-starved initial condition, we find that the oscillations result in bursts of pair creation in which the pair density rises exponentially with time. The pair density saturates at $N_\pm\simeq E_{0}^2/(8\pi m_ec^2\Gamma_{\rm thr})$, where $E_0$ is the parallel electric field in the charge-starved initial state, and $\Gamma_{\rm thr}$ is the Lorentz factor for effec tive pair creation. The frequency of oscillations following the pair creation burst is given roughly by $\omega_{\rm osc}=eE_0/(8m_ec\Gamma_{\rm thr})$. A positive feedback keeps the system stable, such that the average pair creation rate balances the loss rate due to pairs escaping the magnetosphere.
Judge Alex
Levinson A. A.
Luo Qinghuan
Melrose Don
No associations
LandOfFree
Large-Amplitude, Pair-Creating Oscillations in Pulsar and Black Hole Magnetospheres 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 Large-Amplitude, Pair-Creating Oscillations in Pulsar and Black Hole Magnetospheres, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Large-Amplitude, Pair-Creating Oscillations in Pulsar and Black Hole Magnetospheres will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-659546