Generation of Pulsar Glitches: A Superfluid Core Model

Abstract

We show that the neutron star's crust-core interface acts as a potential barrier on the peripheral neutron vortices approaching this interface and thus prevents their continuous decay on it in the course of equilibrium state deceleration. The barrier arises due to the interaction of vortex magnetic flux with the Meissner currents set up by the crustal magnetic field at the interface. When the non-balanced part of the Magnus force reaches the value at which the vortices are able to annihilate at the interface, the rapid transfer of angular momentum from the superfluid spins-up the observable crust on short dynamical coupling times.

4 pages, Latex, uses sprocl.sty