γ-Quanta capture by magnetic field and pair creation suppression in pulsars

Abstract

The theory¹ that electron–positron pairs in magnetospheres of pulsars are created by the interaction of γ-quanta with the magnetic field B is the basis of the modern theory of pulsars^2,3. When considering the process γ+B→e⁺+e⁻+B in pulsars it is usually accepted that the γ-quanta produced by the curvature irradiation of the primary particles are emitted tangentially to the curved line of force of magnetic field and propagate directly. As they do so the pitch angle between the photon wave vector K and the magnetic field B increases until a certain value ψ₁ when the absorption of the photon through pair creation becomes possible. We emphasize here that if the resonant behaviour characteristic of the vacuum polarization in a magnetic field^4,5 is considered this picture changes considerably. Namely, the trajectories of γ-quanta are strongly bent towards the direction of the magnetic field if the latter is sufficiently intense and at the same time the creation is suppressed. We also discuss the effect this may have on the energy yield of pulsars.