Pulsar electrodynamics - I

Abstract

We develop further the earlier proposal for the structure and dynamics of an aligned pulsar magnetosphere, and for the associated spin-down of the star, within the framework of classical physics. If electrons emanating from the polar caps are to cross magnetic field lines and return to the star, their trajectories must extend to regions well beyond the light-cylinder, where most of the radiation of angular momentum occurs. In addition, the asymptotic quadrupolar electric field must dominate over the magnetic field, requiring that the dipole moment of the magnetospheric currents cancel that of the star, so setting strong constraints on the parameters of the problem.

Identifiers

DOI

10.1093/mnras/232.2.277

Citations and references