Nuclear physics of reverse electron flow at pulsar polar caps

Abstract

Protons produced in electromagnetic showers formed by the reverse-electron flux are usually the largest component of the time-averaged polar-cap open magnetic flux-line current in neutron stars with positive corotational charge density. Although the electric-field boundary conditions in the corotating frame are time-independent, instabilities on both medium and short time-scales cause the current to alternate between states in which either protons or positrons and ions form the major component. These properties are briefly discussed in relation to nulling and microstructure in radio pulsars, pair production in an outer gap, and neutron stars with high surface temperatures.