Particle Dynamics and Gamma-Ray Emission in the Magnetospheres of Neutron Stars with Accretion Disks
Abstract
Whether the existence of cold accretion disks around isolated, magnetized neutron stars might result in a distinct observational signature due to the Compton drag interaction between the electrostatically accelerated changes and the thermal radiation emitted by these disks. The particle dynamics resulting from the combined effects of electrostatic acceleration and the Compton drag interaction are determined. In the course of their deceleration, the charged particles boost the thermal disk radiation to gamma-ray energies, which may result in a significant spectral component. Cold disks are too underluminous to significantly retard the flow, and if such disks are present in pulsars, only a small fraction of the particle energy is transferred to the radiation field. The results also indicate that steady, unidirectional particle acceleration is unlikely to be the mechanism operating in gamma-ray burst sources.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- November 1989
- DOI:
- 10.1086/168017
- Bibcode:
- 1989ApJ...346..378M
- Keywords:
-
- Accretion Disks;
- Gamma Ray Bursts;
- Magnetic Stars;
- Neutron Stars;
- Stellar Magnetospheres;
- Stellar Radiation;
- Monte Carlo Method;
- Pair Production;
- Particle Acceleration;
- Stellar Mass Accretion;
- Astrophysics;
- GAMMA RAYS: BURSTS;
- GAMMA RAYS: GENERAL;
- PARTICLE ACCELERATION;
- STARS: ACCRETION;
- STARS: MAGNETIC;
- STARS: NEUTRON