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arXiv · 1206.6344

Dead zone in the polar-cap accelerator of pulsars

Alexander Y. Chen·Andrei M. Beloborodov
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Abstract

We study plasma flows above pulsar polar caps using time-dependent simulations of plasma particles in the self-consistent electric field. The flow behavior is controlled by the dimensionless parameter alpha=(j/c rho_GJ) where j is the electric current density and rho_GJ is the Goldreich-Julian charge density. The region of the polar cap where 0 0). In the latter case, we consider the possibility of a mixed flow consisting of different ion species, and observe the development of two-stream instability. The dead zone at the polar cap is essential for the development of an outer gap near the null surface rho_GJ=0.

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Alexander Y. Chen, Andrei M. Beloborodov. 2012-06-27. Dead zone in the polar-cap accelerator of pulsars. https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637x/762/2/76

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