Relativistic electrons on a rotating spherical magnetic dipole: surface orbitals

Abstract

The semiclassical orbitals of a relativistic electron on a rotating sphere threaded by an intense magnetic dipole field are examined. Several physically distinct regimes emerge, depending on the relative sizes of the mass, total energy, canonical azimuthal angular momentum, and magnetic field strength. Magnetic flux enclosed by orbits is quantized very close to the poles, suggesting a quantum Hall-like state. Application of this system to neutron star surfaces is outlined. The semiclassical orbitals of a relativistic electron on a rotating sphere threaded by an intense magnetic dipole field are examined. Several physically distinct regimes emerge, depending on the relative sizes of the mass, total energy, canonical azimuthal angular momentum, and magnetic field strength. Magnetic flux enclosed by orbits is quantized very close to the poles, suggesting a quantum Hall-like state. Application of this system to neutron star surfaces is outlined.