QED Plasma and Magnetars

TL;DR

This paper develops quantum force-free electrodynamics equations to describe plasma around magnetars, concluding quantum effects do not significantly alter large-scale magnetosphere structure but may influence small-scale phenomena like shock formation.

Contribution

It introduces a new theoretical framework for quantum plasma in magnetar environments and provides evolution equations for studying small-scale effects.

Findings

Quantum effects do not significantly change large-scale magnetosphere structure.

The derived equations enable exploration of small-scale phenomena such as shock formation.

Potential implications for understanding magnetar bursts and emissions.

Abstract

Magnetars are surrounded by diffuse plasma in magnetic field strengths well above the quantum electrodynamic critical value. We derive equations of "quantum force-free electrodynamics" for this plasma using effective field theory arguments. We argue that quantum effects do not modify the large scale structure of the magnetosphere, and in particular that the spin-down rate does not deviate significantly from the classical result. We provide definite evolution equations that can be used to explore potentially important small-scale corrections, such as shock formation, which has been proposed as a mechanism for both burst and quiescent emission from magnetars.