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Focusing of Alfvenic wave power in the context of gamma-ray burst emissivityHighly dynamic magnetospheric perturbations in neutron star environments can naturally account for the features observed in gamma-ray burst spectra. The source distribution, however, appears to be extragalactic. Although noncatastrophic isotropic emission mechanisms may be ruled out on energetic and timing arguments, MHD processes can produce strongly anisotropic gamma rays with an observable flux out to distances of about 1-2 Gpc. Here we show that sheared Alfven waves propagating along open magnetospheric field lines at the poles of magnetized neutron stars transfer their energy dissipationally to the current sustaining the field misalignment and thereby focus their power into a spatial region about 1000 times smaller than that of the crustal disturbance. This produces a strong (observable) flux enhancement along certain directions. We apply this model to a source population of 'turned-off' pulsars that have nonetheless retained their strong magnetic fields and have achieved alignment at a period of approximately greater than 5 sec.
Document ID
19930072114
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Fatuzzo, Marco
(Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, United States)
Melia, Fulvio
(Steward Observatory Tucson, AZ, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
September 10, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 2 - Letters
Volume: 414
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
93A56111
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF PHY-88-57218
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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