Dissipative Strong-Field Electrodynamics

TL;DR

This paper introduces a dissipative Lorentz-covariant Ohm's law based solely on electromagnetic fields, bridging Force-Free Electrodynamics with dissipative effects, and suggests pulsar emissions originate mainly from the magnetic separatrix.

Contribution

It proposes a new dissipative Ohm's law compatible with Lorentz covariance that extends Force-Free Electrodynamics to include dissipation in specific regions.

Findings

Maxwell equations with the new Ohm's law approximate FFE with dissipation.

Dissipative effects are significant where the FFE 4-current is space-like.

Implication that pulsar emission mainly occurs near the magnetic separatrix.

Abstract

A dissipative Lorentz-covariant Ohm's law which uses only the electromagnetic degrees of freedom is proposed. For large conductivity, Maxwell equations equipped with this Ohm's law reduce to the equations of Force-Free Electrodynamics (FFE) with small dissipative corrections, but only in the regions where the ideal FFE 4-current is space-like. This might indicate that the pulsar emission comes primarily from the magnetic separartrix.