Dissipative Pulsar Magnetosphere

Dissipative axisymmetric pulsar magnetosphere is calculated by a direct numerical simulation of the Strong-Field Electrodynamics equations. The magnetic separatrix disappears, it is replaced by a region of enhanced dissipation. With a better numerical scheme, one should be able to calculate the bolometric lightcurves for a given conductivity.Comment: 2 pages, 10 figures, minor changes for the journa

Differentially rotating force-free magnetosphere of an aligned rotator: analytical solutions in split-monopole approximation

In this paper we consider stationary force-free magnetosphere of an aligned rotator when plasma in the open field line region rotates differentially due to presence of a zone with the accelerating electric field in the polar cap of pulsar. We study the impact of differential rotation on the current density distribution in the magnetosphere. Using split-monopole approximation we obtain analytical expressions for physical parameters of differentially rotating magnetosphere. We find the range of admitted current density distributions under the requirement that the potential drop in the polar cap is less than the vacuum potential drop. We show that the current density distribution could deviate significantly from the ``classical'' Michel distribution and could be made almost constant over the polar cap even when the potential drop in the accelerating zone is of the order of 10 per cents of the vacuum potential drop. We argue that differential rotation of the open magnetic field lines could play an important role in adjusting between the magnetosphere and the polar cap cascade zone and could affect the value of pulsar breaking index.Comment: 15 pages, 15 figures; accepted for publication in MNRA

Fast Zonal Field Dynamo in Collisionless Kinetic Alfven Wave Turbulence

The possibility of fast dynamo action by collisionless kinetic Alfven Wave turbulence is demonstrated. The irreversibility necessary to lock in the generated field is provided by electron Landau damping, so the induced electric field does not vanish with resistivity. Mechanisms for self-regulation of the system and the relation of these results to the theory of alpha quenching are discussed. The dynamo-generated fields have symmetry like to that of zonal flows, and thus are termed zonal fields