Physics in Ultra-Strong Magnetic Fields
arXiv:2202.06845 · doi:10.1017/S1743921322000886
Abstract
Several populations of neutron stars have surface magnetic fields above the critical strength of 4.4 x 10^{13} G where the electron cyclotron energy equals its rest mass energy. These include high-field rotation-powered pulsars, X-ray dim isolated neutron stars (XDIN), and magnetars. In such ultra-strong fields, quantum effects in physical processes as well as additional exotic Quantum Electrodynamic processes only occurring at these high field strengths have a significant influence on the emitted radiation. Although very strong magnetic fields play a critical role both inside and outside of neutron stars, I will review primarily processes that operate in the neutron star magnetospheres and how they influence the observed radiation.
13 pages, 8 figures, to appear in Proceedings of IAU Symposium 363, "Neutron Star Astrophysics at the Crossroads: Magnetars and the Multimessenger Revolution"