Dissipation of low-frequency waves in the pulsar wind

Low-frequency waves and energy dissipation in the relativistic pulsar wind are discussed. The Poynting flux, which is initially dominant in the pulsar wind, may be transported by large amplitude low-frequency waves: in the region near the pulsar such waves can be relativistic MHD waves, and in the region far from the pulsar they can be electromagnetic (EM) waves. Both types of wave are considered and in the latter case, coherent nonlinear Compton scattering may lead to highly beamed coherent radio emission with synchrotron-like spectra, which may be potentially observable.