Published July 1, 1985 | Version v1
Journal article

A mechanism for subpulse drift in pulsars

Creators

  • 1. Sydney Univ. (Australia). Dept. of Theoretical Physics

Description

An interpretation of drifting subpulses is developed by examining the plasma behaviour near the surface of the neutron star. The mechanism operates within the polar cap sparking model of previous authors. 'Relativistic drift' terms cause a charge separation of the electron-positron plasma formed above the surface. Thus the perpendicular electric field is modified from the value required for corotation, and the plasma drifts relative to the star. Drift rates and other properties of the drift are predicted that agree with those observed. (author)

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc.
Journal Volume
215
Journal Issue
1
Series
Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc.
Journal Page Range
111-124
ISSN
0035-8711