Neutron Star Plasma Environment

Extremely compact astronomical objects such as neutron stars are surrounded by plasmas of electrons and positrons embedded in extreme magnetic fields. This simulation shows the production of a plasma of electrons and positrons (blue-violet dots) in the extremely intense magnetic field (white lines) of a neutron star. The plasma strongly interacts with the field, twisting and stretching it.

Simulation by F. Cruz using the PIC code OSIRIS@GoLP, visualization by ELI Beamlines