Open AccessNature of microstructure in pulsar radio emission
Author(s) -
Machabeli G.,
Khechinashvili D.,
Melikidze G.,
Shapakidze D.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-8711.2001.04814.x
Subject(s) - physics , pulsar , radio wave , magnetic field , curvature , wavelength , field (mathematics) , field line , astrophysics , computational physics , optics , astronomy , mathematics , quantum mechanics , pure mathematics , geometry
We present a model for microstructure in pulsar radio emission. We propose that micropulses result from alteration of the radio wave generation region by nearly transverse drift waves propagating across the pulsar magnetic field and encircling the bundle of the open magnetic field lines. It is demonstrated that such waves can modify the curvature of the field lines significantly. This, in turn, affects strongly fulfilment of the resonance conditions necessary for the excitation of radio waves. The time‐scale of micropulses is therefore determined by the wavelength of the drift waves. The main features of the microstructure are naturally explained within the framework of this model.