Interaction and ablation of fall-back disks in isolated neutron stars

Abstract

An analysis of ablation processes is made for a fall-back disk with inner and outer radii external to the neutron-star light cylinder. The calculated ablation rate leads, with certain other assumptions, to a simple expression relating the inner radius and mean mass per unit area of any long-lived fall-back disk. Expressions for the torque components generated by interaction with the pulsar wind are obtained. It is not impossible that these could be responsible for small observable variations in pulse shape and spin-down rate but they are unlikely to be the source of the periodic changes seen in several pulsars.

arXiv comment9 pages; to be published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

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• A magnetic thrust action on small bodies orbiting a pulsar
• Constraints on fall-back disks in radio pulsars and anomalous X-ray pulsars
• Searching for Debris Disks around Seven Radio Pulsars
• Searching for Debris Disks around Isolated Pulsars
• Submillimetre observations of RX J1856.5--3754