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Self-modulational formation of pulsar microstructures

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Abstract

We discuss a nonlinear plasma theory for self-modulation of pulsar radio pulses. A nonlinear Schrödinger equation is derived for strong electromagnetic waves propagating in an electron-positron plasma. The nonlinearities arising from wave intensity induced particle mass variation may excite the modulational instability of circularly and linearly polarized pulsar radiation. The resulting wave envelopes can take the form of periodic wave trains or solitons. These nonlinear stationary waveforms may account for the formation of pulsar microstructures.

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Author notes

  1. A. C. -L. Chian

    Present address: Institute for Space Research (INPE/CNPq), São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, Calif., USA

    A. C. -L. Chian & C. F. Kennel

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  1. A. C. -L. Chian
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  2. C. F. Kennel
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Chian, A.C.L., Kennel, C.F. Self-modulational formation of pulsar microstructures. Astrophys Space Sci 97, 9–18 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00684605

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00684605

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