The structure of the pulsar magnetosphere via particle simulation with GRAPE

Abstract

It is shown with a particle simulation that the outer gap can be reproduced under a few simple assumptions. The simulation includes just the first principles, namely Maxwell's equations, a relativistic equation of motion with radiation drag, and electron-positron pair creation. We also suggest that the Y-point (the open-close boundary in the equator) is likely to be a place of heating and acceleration of plasma, and therefore it would cause high-energy emission. The dead zone along the separatrix of the oppositely directed current is found in the middle latitude region, which separates the outer gap and the polar cap accelerators.