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Tearing instability in the pulsar magnetosphere

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Abstract

Equations governing the coupling of the scalar and vector potentials for a resistive electron-positron plasma in a strong magnetic field are derived. It is shown that in the presence of magnetic shear, a tearing instability may occur. The latter can lead to magnetic field line reconnection and the formation of magnetic islands which could affect the dynamics of the pulsar magnetosphere.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fakultät für Physik und Astronomie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, F.R.G.

    P. K. Shukla & M. Y. Yu

  2. Institute for Nuclear Research, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev, U.S.S.R.

    V. N. Pavlenko

Authors
  1. P. K. Shukla
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  2. M. Y. Yu
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  3. V. N. Pavlenko
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Shukla, P.K., Yu, M.Y. & Pavlenko, V.N. Tearing instability in the pulsar magnetosphere. Astrophys Space Sci 134, 181–184 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00636465

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00636465

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