Pulsar Magnetosphere

TL;DR

This paper challenges existing pulsar magnetosphere models by demonstrating that proper treatment of the singular current layer reveals significant Poynting flux dissipation outside the light cylinder and absence of such layers within it.

Contribution

It introduces a new simulation approach in the Force-Free limit showing the correct structure of the pulsar magnetosphere and the role of the singular current layer.

Findings

10% of Poynting flux dissipated between 1 and 1.5 light cylinder radii

No singular current layer within the light cylinder

Proper treatment of the current layer alters magnetosphere models

Abstract

We argue that existing models of the ideal pulsar magnetosphere are incorrect because of the improper treatment of the singular current layer outside the light cylinder. We simulated the axisymmetric pulsar magnetosphere in the Force-Free limit of Strong-Field Electrodynamics. It turns out that even in the Force-Free limit, some field lines enter the singular current layer which lies beyond the light cylinder in the equatorial plane. As a result: (i) about 10% of the Poynting flux is dissipated between 1 and 1.5 light cylinder radii, (ii) there is no singular current layer within the light cylinder.