Magnetohydrodynamic waves in the pulsar magnetosphere

Abstract

MHD waves can be responsible for plasma fluctuations and short-term variations of the pulsar emission. We consider the properties of plane and cylindrical waves that can exist in the force-free magnetosphere. Waves are considered by means of a linear analysis of the force-free MHD equations. We argue that these particular types of waves can exist in the magnetosphere of pulsars. These waves are closely related to the Alfven waves of the standard magnetohydrodynamics but are modified by the force-free condition and non-zero charge density. We derive the dispersion relation for magnetospheric waves and show that the wave periods are likely within the range $\sim 10^{-2}-10^(-4}$ s depending on the magnetospheric parameters.