186 research outputs found
On the Axisymmetric Force-Free Pulsar Magnetosphere
We investigate the axisymmetric magnetosphere of an aligned rotating magnetic
dipole surrounded by an ideal force-free plasma. We concentrate on the magnetic
field structure around the point of intersection of the separatrix between the
open and closed field-line regions and the equatorial plane. We first study the
case where this intersection point is located at the Light Cylinder. We find
that in this case the separatrix equilibrium condition implies that all the
poloidal current must return to the pulsar in the open-field region, i.e., that
there should be no finite current carried by the separatrix/equator current
sheet. We then perform an asymptotic analysis of the pulsar equation near the
intersection point and find a unique self-similar solution; however, a Light
Surface inevitably emerges right outside the Light Cylinder. We then perform a
similar analysis for the situation where the intersection point lies somewhere
inside the Light Cylinder, in which case a finite current flowing along the
separatrix and the equator is allowed. We find a very simple behavior in this
case, characterized by a 90-degree angle between the separatrix and the equator
and by finite vertical field in the closed-field region. Finally, we discuss
the implications of our results for global numerical studies of pulsar
magnetospheres.Comment: 31 pages, including 5 figure
Spin solitons in magnetized pair plasmas
A set of fluid equations, taking into account the spin properties of the
electrons and positrons in a magnetoplasma, are derived. The
magnetohydrodynamic limit of the pair plasma is investigated. It is shown that
the microscopic spin properties of the electrons and positrons can lead to
interesting macroscopic and collective effects in strongly magnetized plasmas.
In particular, it is found that new Alfvenic solitary structures, governed by a
modified Korteweg-de Vries equation, are allowed in such plasmas. These
solitary structures vanish if the quantum spin effects are neglected. Our
results should be of relevance for astrophysical plasmas, e.g. in pulsar
magnetospheres.Comment: 7 page
Short wavelength quantum electrodynamical correction to cold plasma-wave propagation
The effect of short wavelength quantum electrodynamic (QED) correction on
plasma-wave propagation is investigated. The effect on plasma oscillations and
on electromagnetic waves in an unmagnetized as well as a magnetized plasma is
investigated. The effects of the short wavelength QED corrections are most
significant for plasma oscillations and for extraordinary modes. In particular,
the QED correction allow plasma oscillations to propagate, and the
extra-ordinary mode looses its stop band. The significance of our results is
discussed.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure
M87 black hole mass and spin estimate through the position of the jet boundary shape break
We propose a new method of estimating a mass of a super massive black hole
residing in the center of an active galaxy. The active galaxy M87 offers a
convenient test case for the method due to the existence of a large amount of
observational data on the jet and ambient environment properties in the central
area of the object. We suggest that the observed transition of a jet boundary
shape from a parabolic to a conical form is associated with the flow transiting
from the magnetically dominated regime to the energy equipartition between
plasma bulk motion and magnetic field. By coupling the unique set of
observations available for the jet kinematics, environment and boundary profile
with our MHD modelling under assumption on the presence of a dynamically
important magnetic field in the M87 jet, we estimate the central black hole
mass and spin. The method leads us to believe that the M87 super massive black
hole has a mass somewhat larger than typically accepted so far.Comment: 10 pages, 1 figure, 3 tables, accepted for publication by MNRA
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