Long‐Term Evolution of Supernova Remnants in Magnetized Interstellar Medium

Abstract

The evolution of supernova remnants (SNRs) is studied, with particular attention to the effect of magnetic fields with axisymmetric two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations. We study the interaction of SNRs with a quiescent, magnetized ISM having uniform density, temperature, and magnetic field. The evolution of magnetic SNRs is the same as that of nonmagnetic ones in the adiabatic Sedov stage. After a thin shell is formed, the shell is driven by the pressure of the hot interior gas (bubble). Evolution in the pressure-driven snowplow phase is much affected by the magnetic field. The shell sweeping the magnetic field lines thickens owing to the magnetic pressure force. After 5 × 105 to 2 × 106 yr, the inner boundary of the thick shell begins to contract. This compresses the hot bubble radially and maintains its thermal pressure. Thus, the bubble forms a prolate spheroidal shape and becomes thinner and thinner, since it expands in a direction parallel to the magnetic field for B0 3 μG. Finally, the bubble contracts. The porosity of the hot low-density gas in the ISM is reduced, taking the effect of the magnetic field into account.