Abstract
We perform "first-principles" relativistic particle-in-cell simulations of aligned pulsar magnetosphere. We allow free escape of particles from the surface of a neutron star and continuously populate the magnetosphere with neutral pair plasma to imitate pair production. As pair plasma supply increases, we observe the transition from a charge-separated "electrosphere" solution with trapped plasma and no spin-down to a solution close to the ideal force-free magnetosphere with electromagnetically dominated pulsar wind. We calculate the magnetospheric structure, current distribution, and spin-down power of the neutron star. We also discuss particle acceleration in the equatorial current sheet.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | L33 |
Journal | Astrophysical Journal Letters |
Volume | 785 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 20 2014 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science
Keywords
- plasmas
- pulsars: general
- stars: magnetic field
- stars: rotation