Pulsar Magnetospheres: Classical, Quasi-Classical and Quantum Descriptions

Abstract

AbstractThe plasma motion in pulsar magnetospheres is no longer classical, but quasi-classical, following stochastic trajectories, when random curvature radiation of high energetic gamma-ray photons takes place. This implies an extension to the relativistic kinetic theory of plasmas. But with high energies involved other quantum radiative processes become important, in the context of vacuum (quantum) electrodynamics. The consequences for pulsar radiation mechanisms will be outlined.