arXiv subjects

V. S. Beskin

Publications and source records attributed to V. S. Beskin.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2011

On the radio wave propagation in the pulsar magnetosphere

The key properties of the wave propagation theory in the magntosphere of radio pulsars based on the Kravtsov-Orlov equation are presented. It is shown that for radio pulsars with known circular polarization and the swing of the linear polarization position angle one can determine which mode, ordinary or extraordinary one, forms mainly the mean profile of the radio emission. The comparison of the observational data with the theory predictions demonstrates their good agreement.

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arXiv2011

Magnetohydrodynamic models of astrophysical jets

In this review, analytical results obtained for a wide class of stationary axisymmetric flows in the vicinity of compact astrophysical objects are analyzed, with an emphasis on quantitative predictions for specific sources. Recent years have witnessed a great increase in understanding the formation and properties of astrophysical jets. This is due not only to new observations but also to advances in analytical theory which has produced fairly simple relations, and to what can undoubtedly be called a breakthrough in numerical simulation which has enabled confirmation of theoretical predictions. Of course, we are still very far from fully understanding the physical processes occurring in compact sources. Nevertheless, the progress made raises hopes for near-future test observations that can give insight into the physical processes occurring in active astrophysical objects.

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arXiv2008

On the central core in MHD winds and jets

We demonstrate that the 1D cylindrical version of the Grad-Shafranov equation is more rich than classical self-similar ones, and more suitable for the astrophysical jets we observe. In particular, it allows us to describe the central (and, hence, the most energetic) part of the flow. Both relativistic and non-relativistic versions are discussed. It is shown that taking into account the finite pressure of the external media one can determine the magnetic flux within the central core. We found as well that for non-relativistic flows which are magnetically dominated near the origin the solution can be constructed only in the presense of the oblique shock near the base of a jet where the additional heating is to take place.

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arXiv2008

On the Cylindrical Grad-Shafranov Equation

The goal of this presentation is in paying attention to the 1D cylindrical version of the Grad-Shafranov (GS) equation. In our opinion, this approach is more rich than classical self-similar ones, and more suitable for astrophysical jets we observe. In particular, it allows us describing the central (and, hence, the most energetic) part of the flow.

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arXiv2007

Statistics of Extinct Radio Pulsars

We study the statistical distribution of extinct radio pulsars -- isolated neutron stars, that just crossed the death line. An important element that distinguishes our study from other works is a consistent allowance for the evolution of the angle between the magnetic and spin axes. We find the distribution of extinct radio pulsars in spin period for two models: the model with hindered particle escape from the neutron star surface and the model with free particle escape. The total number of extinct radio pulsars is shown to be much smaller than for the model in which the evolution of an inclination angle is disregarded. The decrease in total number of extinct radio pulsars arises from the fact, that account for evolution of the inclination angle allows the transition of a neutron star to the propeller stage appear at much smaller periods (P~5-10 s) than it is commonly assumed.

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arXiv2007

On the Possibility of the Detection of Extinct Radio Pulsars

We explore the possibilities for detecting pulsars that have ceased to radiate in the radio band. We consider two models: the model with hindered particle escape from the pulsar surface (first suggested by Ruderman and Sutherland 1975) and the model with free particle escape (Arons 1981; Mestel 1999). In the model with hindered particle escape, the number of particles that leave the pulsar magnetosphere is small and their radiation cannot be detected with currently available instruments. At the same time, for the free particle escape model, both the number of particles and the radiation intensity are high enough for such pulsars to be detectable with the presently available receivers such as GLAST and AGILE spacecrafts. It is also possible that extinct radio pulsars can be among the unidentified EGRET sources.

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arXiv2007

On the role of the current loss in radio pulsar evolution

The aim of this article is to draw attention to the importance of the electric current loss in the energy output of radio pulsars. We remind that even the losses attributed to the magneto-dipole radiation of a pulsar in vacuum can be written as a result of an Ampere force action of the electric currens flowing over the neutron star surface (Michel, 1991, Beskin et al., 1993). It is this force that is responsible for the transfer of angular momentum of a neutron star to an outgoing magneto-dipole wave. If a pulsar is surrounded by plasma, and there is no longitudinal current in its magnetosphere, there is no energy loss (Beskin et al., 1993, Mestel et al., 1999). It is the longitudinal current closing within the pulsar polar cap that exerts the retardation torque acting on the neutron star. This torque can be determined if the structure of longitudinal current is known. Here we remind of the solution by Beskin, Gurevitch & Istomin (1993) and discuss the validity of such an assumption. The behavior of the recently observed "part-time job" pulsar B1931+24 can be naturally explained within the model of current loss while the magneto-dipole model faces difficulties.

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arXiv2007

On the role of the current loss mechanism in radio pulsar evolution

The aim of this article is to draw attention to the importance of the electric current loss in the energy output of radio pulsars. We remind that even the losses attributed to the magneto-dipole radiation of a pulsar in vacuum can be written as a result of Ampere force action of the electric currents flowing over the neutron star surface (Michel 1991, Beskin, Gurevich & Istomin 1993). It is this force that is responsible for the transfer of angular momentum of a neutron star to an outgoing magneto-dipole wave. If a pulsar is surrounded by plasma, and there is no longitudinal current in its magnetosphere, there is no energy loss (Beskin, Gurevich & Istomin 1993, Mestel, Panagi & Shibata 1999). It is the longitudinal current closing within the pulsar polar cap that exerts the retardation torque acting on the neutron star. This torque can be determined if the structure of longitudinal current is known. Here we remind of the solution by Beskin, Gurevich & Istomin (1993) and discuss the validity of such an assumption. Finally, it is shown that the behaviour of the recently observed "part-time job" pulsar B1931+24 can be naturally explained within the model of current loss while the magneto-dipole model faces difficulties.

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arXiv2006

Be born slow or die fast: spin evolution of neutron stars with alignment or counteralignment

We revisit the case of magneto-rotational evolution of neutron stars (NSs) with accounting for changes of the angle χbetween spin and magnetic axes. This element of the evolution of NSs is very important for age estimates and population modeling, but usually it is neglected. In the framework of two models of energy losses we demonstrate that unless NSs are born with the inclination angle χ_0 very close (within 1 degree) to the position of maximal losses, pulsars with short initial periods quickly reach regions of small energy losses (aligned rotators in the case of magneto-dipole losses and orthogonal rotators -- in the case of current losses) without significant spin-down. This means that either most of known NSs should be born with relatively long periods close to presently observed values, or the initial inclination angles should be large (close to 90) for the magnetodipole model and very small (close to 0) for the current losses model, or that both models cannot be applied for the whole evolutionary track of a typical NS. In particular, magnetar candidates should be born with periods close to the observed ones within the scope of both models of energy losses. We discuss how these considerations can influence population synthesis models and age estimates for different types of isolated NSs. Focusing on the model of current losses we illustrate our conclusion with evolutionary track reconstructions on the P--\sin χplane. We conclude, that most probably both existing models of energy losses -- magneto-dipole and longitudinal current -- require serious modifications, on the other hand, estimates obtained under the standard assumption of \sin χ=1=const does not have solid theoretical ground and should be taken with care.

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arXiv2005

On the effective particle acceleration in the paraboloidal magnetic field

The problem of the efficiency of particle acceleration for parabolic poloidal magnetic field is considered within the approach of steady axisymmetric MHD flow. For the large Michel magnetization parameter it is possible to linearize the stream equation near the force-free solution and to solve the problem self-consistently as was done by Beskin, Kuznetsova and Rafikov (1998) for monopole magnetic field. It is shown that on the fast magnetosonic surface the particle Lorentz factor does not exceed the standard value. On the other hand, in the supersonic region the Lorentz factor grows linearly with the distance from the rotational axis, reaching almost its maximal value. This corresponds to almost the full conversion of the Poynting energy flux into the particle kinetic one.

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arXiv2005

Statistics of Neutron Stars at the Stage of Supersonic Propeller

We analyze the statistical distribution of neutron stars at the stage of a supersonic propeller. An important point of our analysis is allowance for the evolution of the angle of inclination of the magnetic axis to the spin axis of the neutron star for the boundary of the transition to the supersonic propeller stage for two models: the model with hindered particle escape from the stellar surface and the model with free particle escape. As a result, we have shown that a consistent allowance for the evolution of the inclination angle in the region of extinct radio pulsars for the two models leads to an increase in the total number of neutron stars at the supersonic propeller stage. This increase stems from he fact that when allowing for the evolution of the inclination angle $χ$ for neutron stars in the region of extinct radio pulsars and, hence, for the boundary of the transition to the propeller stage, this transition is possible at shorter spin periods (P~5-10 s) than assumed in the standard model.

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arXiv2004

Two-dimensional structure of thin transonic discs: theory and observational manifestations

We study the two-dimensional structure of thin transonic accretion discs in the vicinity of black holes. We use the hydrodynamical version of the Grad-Shafranov equation and focus on the region inside the marginally stable orbit. We show that all components of the dynamical force in the disc become significant near the sonic surface and especially important in the supersonic region. Under certain conditions, the disc structure is shown to be far from radial, and we review the affected disc properties, in particular the role of the critical condition at the sonic surface: it determines neither the accretion rate nor the angular momentum in the accretion disc. Finally, we present a simple model explaining quasi-periodical oscillations that have been observed in the infrared and X-ray radiation of the Galactic Centre.

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arXiv2004

Grad-Shafranov Approach To Axisymmetric Stationary Flows In Astrophysics

My lecture is devoted to the analytical results available for a large class of axisymmetric stationary flows in the vicinity of compact astrophysical objects. First, the most general case is formulated corresponding to the axisymmetric stationary MHD flow in the Kerr metric. Then, I discuss the hydrodynamical version of the Grad-Shafranov equation. Although not so well-known as the full MHD one, it allows us to clarify the nontrivial structure of the Grad-Shafranov approach as well as to discuss the simplest version of the 3+1-split language -- the most convenient one for the description of ideal flows in the vicinity of rotating black holes. Finally, I consider several examples that demonstrate how this approach can be used to obtain the quantitative description of the real transonic flows in the vicinity of rotating and moving black holes.

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arXiv2004

Two-dimensional structure of thin transonic discs: observational manifestations

We study the two-dimensional structure of thin transonic accretion discs in the vicinity of a non-spinning black hole within the framework of hydrodynamical version of the Grad-Shafranov equation. Our analysis focuses on the region inside the marginally stable orbit (MSO), r < r_{ms}. We show that all components of the dynamical force in the disc become significant near the sonic surface and (especially) in the supersonic region. Under certain conditions, the disc structure can be far from radial, and we review the affected disc properties, in particular the role of the critical condition at the sonic surface. Finally, we present a simple model aimed at explaining quasi-periodical oscillations that have been observed in the infra-red and X-ray radiation of the Galactic Centre.

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arXiv2004

Radiation drag effects on magnetically dominated outflows around compact objects

The effects of radiation drag force on the structure of relativistic electron-positron and electron-proton outflows are considered within the one-fluid approximation for quasi-monopole cold outflow. It is shown that for a Poynting-dominated case the drag force does not change the particle energy inside the fast magnetosonic surface. In this region the action of the drag results in a diminishing of the Poynting flux, not the particle flux. Outside the fast magnetosonic surface, for intermediate photon density the drag force may result in additional acceleration of the plasma. This acceleration is a result of the disturbance of magnetic surfaces under the action of the drag. At even larger distances particles are not frozen into the magnetic field and the drag force decelerates them efficiently. In the case of extreme photon densities, the disturbance of magnetic surfaces becomes large and the drag force changes the total energy flux significantly, the particles becoming nonrelativistic. We find that for Active Galactic Nuclei the photon density is too low to disturb the parameters of an ideal MHD outflow. The drag action may result in additional acceleration of outgoing plasma only for central engines with very high luminosities. For cosmological gamma-ray bursts the drag force can strongly affect the process of formation of a Poynting-dominated outflow.

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arXiv2002

2D Transonic Hydrodynamics in General Relativity

The goal of my lecture is to present the introduction into the hydrodynamical version of the Grad-Shafranov equation. Although not so well-known as the full MHD one, it allows us to clarify the nontrivial structure of the Grad-Shafranov approach as well as to discuss the simplest version of the 3+1-split language -- the most convenient one for the description of the ideal flows in the vicinity of a rotating black hole.

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arXiv2002

Internal structure of a thin transonic disk

The internal structure of the thin transonic disk accreting onto a nonrotating black hole inside the last stable orbit ($r < 3r_{\rm g}$) is considered within the hydrodynamical version of the Grad-Shafranov equation. It is shown that in the vicinity of the sonic surface takes place a sharp diminishing of the disk thickness. As a result, in the vertical balance equation the dynamical forces $ρ[({\bf v}\nabla){\bf v}]_θ$ become important, these on the sonic surface being of the same order as the pressure gradient $\nabla_θ P$. In the supersonic region the thickness of the disk is determined by the form of ballistic trajectories rather than by the pressure gradient.

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arXiv2000

Grad-Shafranov equation with anisotropic pressure

The most general form of the nonrelativistic Grad-Shafranov equation describing anisotropic pressure effects is formulated within the double adiabatic approximation. It gives a possibility to analyze quantitatively how the anisotropic pressure affects the 2D structure of the ideal magnetohydrodynamical flows.

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