Physics of the Pulsar Magnetosphere

This book presents the theory of the electrodynamic phenomena which occur in the magnetosphere of a pulsar.

A. V. Gurevich (Author), V. S. Beskin (Author), Ya. N Istomin (Author)

9780521032537, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 23 November 2006

436 pages, 125 b/w illus.
22.8 x 15.1 x 2.4 cm, 0.64 kg

'… an important contribution to the literature and will be an essential addition to the libraries of all those active in either observations or modeling of pulsars.' American Review of Science

This book presents the theory of the electrodynamic phenomena which occur in the magnetosphere of a pulsar. It also provides a clear picture of the formation and evolution of neutron stars. The authors address the basic physical processes of electron-positron plasma production, the generation of electric fields and currents, and the emission of radio waves and gamma rays. The book also reviews observational data, and devotes a complete chapter to a detailed comparison of this data with accepted theory and with some recent theoretical predictions. Tables containing the values of the physical parameters of all observed radio pulsars are also provided. The book is illustrated throughout and is fully referenced. Graduate students and researchers in astrophysics and plasma physics working in the field of radio pulsars will find this book of great value.

Introduction
List of notation
Constants and quantities
1. Basic observational characteristics of radio pulsars
2. Neutron stars
3. Physical processes in the pulsar magnetosphere
4. Electrodynamics of the pulsar magnetosphere
5. Generation of electron-positron plasma in the pulsar magnetosphere
6. Pulsar radio emission
7. Comparison of theory with observational data
Conclusion
Appendix
References
Additional literature
Author index
Subject index.

Subject Areas: Astrophysics [PHVB]