The Strmer problem for an aligned rotator
Abstract
The effective potential energy of the particles in the field of rotating uniformly magnetized celestial body is investigated. The axis of rotation coincides with the axis of the magnetic field. Electromagnetic field of the body is composed of a dipole magnetic and quadrupole electric fields. The geometry of the trapping regions is studied as a function of the magnetic field magnitude and the rotation speed of the body. Examples of the potential energy topology for different values of these parameters are given. The main difference from the classical Strmer problem is that the single toroidal trapping region predicted by Strmer is divided into equatorial and off-equatorial trapping regions. Applicability of the idealized model of a rotating uniformly magnetized sphere with a vacuum magnetosphere to real celestial bodies is discussed.
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