On the possibility of radio emission of planets around pulsars

TL;DR

This paper explores the theoretical possibility that planets orbiting pulsars could generate detectable radio emissions through Alfvén wings, similar to phenomena observed in planetary magnetospheres, with potential observational implications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel theoretical model suggesting planets around pulsars can produce powerful, collimated radio emissions via Alfvén wings, a phenomenon not previously considered in this context.

Findings

Radio emissions could be powerful and detectable from Earth.

Emission pulses depend on the planet-star-observer geometry.

The model draws parallels with Io's behavior in Jupiter's magnetosphere.

Abstract

A planet orbiting around a pulsar would be immersed in an ultra-relativistic under-dense plasma flow. It would behave as a unipolar inductor, with a significant potential drop along the planet. As for Io in Jupiter's magnetosphere, there would be two stationary Alfv\'en waves, the Alfv\'en wings (AW), attached to the planet. The AW would be supported by strong electric currents, in some circumstances comparable to those of a pulsar. It would be a cause of powerful radio waves emitted all along the AW, and highly collimated through relativistic aberration. There would be a chance to detect these radio-emissions from Earth. The emission would be pulses as for ordinary pulsars; their occurrence would depend on the planet-star-observer angle. These results are still preliminary, further work needs to be done.