Influence of inhomogeneity of the magnetic field on the excitation of longitudinal waves in pulsar magnetospheres

Abstract

The possible amplification of Langmuir (plasma) waves in pulsar magnetospheres by the curvature of the magnetic field lines is considered. It is shown that for Gamma much less than omega/sub B//sub eff/ allowance for the curvature leads to a decrease of the analogous growth rate in the case R/sub B/ ..-->.. infinity (R/sub B/ is the radius of curvature of the field lines). In the case of a diffuse resonance (Gamma greater than or equal to omega/sub B//sub eff/) the generation of potential (electrostatic) waves is possible, but the growth rate of the instability is of order 1/tau/sub 0/ (tau/sub 0/ is the time required to carry the plasma beyond the light cylinder).