On low-frequency waves and instabilities in QED-plasmas of magnetars

Magnetars are neutron stars with magnetic fields of ~1e15 Gauss or stronger. The quantum electrodynamic (QED) "corrections" on their magnetospheric plasma can produce and order unity effect. This plasmas with super-strong magnetic field exceeding the Schwinger (or QED) field are of great scientific interest. For this purpose, we have developed the theoretical 'QED plasma framework', which allows one to explore such strongly magnetized plasmas systematically. We show that the general structure of low-frequency plasma eigen-modes (shear and compressible Alfven, X and O electromagnetic waves, whistler waves) remains qualitatively the same as in ordinary magnetized plasmas. QED introduces quantitative effects, which can be used to study conditions in magnetar magnetospheres.