On the thermal effects on radio waves propagating in the pulsar magnetosphere

TL;DR

This paper analyzes how thermal effects influence electromagnetic wave propagation in pulsar magnetospheres, showing quantitative changes in some modes and absorption effects in others, with implications for understanding pulsar emissions.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of thermal effects on different wave modes in pulsar magnetospheres, highlighting mode-specific impacts on wave propagation and absorption.

Findings

Thermal effects alter dispersion of superluminal O-mode

X-mode properties remain unchanged by thermal effects

Thermal absorption affects subluminal waves at large distances

Abstract

Thermal effects on the properties of four electromagnetic waves propagating in the pulsar magnetosphere are analyzed. It is shown that thermal effects change only quantitatively the dispersion properties of superluminal ordinary O-mode freely escaping the pulsar magnetosphere; properties of the extraordinary X-mode remain unchanged. As for two subluminal waves propagating along magnetic field lines, for them thermal effects result in essential absorption. However, this attenuation occurs at considerable distances from the neutron star, so there is no doubt in their existence.