The Nature of Pulsar Subpulse Drift

Abstract

A possible mechanism for the explanation of pulsar subpulse drift is suggested. In the region of the open magnetic field lines the existence of an electron-positron plasma penetrated by a primary particle beam is assumed. There is a possibility of excitation of large-scale drift waves propagating transversely to the magnetic field lines. These waves can affect the fulfilment of the radio-wave generation conditions. If the pulsar angular velocity is near to the frequency of the drift waves one should observe regular drift phenomena.