On the thermal effects on radio waves propagating in the pulsar magnetosphere

Abstract

Thermal effects on the properties of four electromagnetic waves propagating in the pulsar magnetosphere are analyzed. It is shown that thermal effects change only quantitatively the dispersion properties of superluminal ordinary O-mode freely escaping the pulsar magnetosphere; properties of the extraordinary X-mode remain unchanged. As for two subluminal waves propagating along magnetic field lines, for them thermal effects result in essential absorption. However, this attenuation occurs at considerable distances from the neutron star, so there is no doubt in their existence.