Absorption of gamma-ray photons in a vacuum neutron star magnetosphere: I. Electron-positron pair production |
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Authors: | Ya N Istomin D N Sob’yanin |
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Institution: | 1.Lebedev Physical Institute,Russian Academy of Sciences,Moscow,Russia |
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Abstract: | The production of electron-positron pairs in a vacuum neutron star magnetosphere is investigated for both low (compared to
the Schwinger one) and high magnetic fields. The case of a strong longitudinal electric field where the produced electrons
and positrons acquire a stationary Lorentz factor in a short time is considered. The source of electron-positron pairs has
been calculated with allowance made for the pair production by curvature and synchrotron photons. Synchrotron photons are
shown to make a major contribution to the total pair production rate in a weak magnetic field. At the same time, the contribution
from bremsstrahlung photons may be neglected. The existence of a time delay due to the finiteness of the electron and positron
acceleration time leads to a great reduction in the electron-positron plasma generation rate compared to the case of a zero
time delay. The effective local source of electron-positron pairs has been constructed. It can be used in the hydrodynamic
equations that describe the development of a cascade after the absorption of a photon from the cosmic gamma-ray background
in a neutron star magnetosphere. |
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