Star Magnetic Field Research Articles

Propeller effect in action in the ultraluminous accreting magnetar M82 X−2

We present here the first convincing observational manifestation of a magnetar-like magnetic field in an accreting neutron star in binary system - the first pulsating ultra-luminous X-ray source X-2 in the galaxy M82. Using the Chandra X-ray observatory data we show that the source exhibit the bimodal distribution of the luminosity with two well-defined peaks separated by a factor of 40. This behaviour can be interpreted as the action of the "propeller regime" of accretion. The onset of the propeller in a 1.37 s pulsar at luminosity of ~$10^{40}$ erg/s implies the dipole component of the neutron star magnetic field of ~$10^{14}$ G.

New results in searching for axions by astronomical methods

We discuss the astronomical methods of searching for light Goldstone bosons (axions and arions). The basic idea is to use processes of coupling between axions and photons: a) the axion decay into two photons; b) the transformation process of photons into axions (arions) in the magnetic fields of stars and also of interstellar and intergalactic media; c) the inverse process of transformations of axions (arions) which are generated into cores of stars into X-ray photons. The decaying axions affect upon the diffuse extragalactic background radiation, the brightness of the night sky and especially on the intergalactic light of clusters of galaxies due to generation of the axion radiative decay emission line. The processes (b) and (c) are strongly dependent on polarization state of photon and may produce a noticeable amount of linear polarization.

Simulated magnetic field expulsion in neutron star cores

The study of long-term evolution of neutron star (NS) magnetic fields is key to understanding the rich diversity of NS observations, and to unifying their nature despite the different emission mechanisms and observed properties. Such studies in principle permit a deeper understanding of the most important parameters driving their apparent variety, e.g. radio pulsars, magnetars, x-ray dim isolated neutron stars, gamma-ray pulsars. We describe, for the first time, the results from self-consistent magneto-thermal simulations considering not only the effects of the Hall-driven field dissipation in the crust, but adding a complete set of proposed driving forces in a superconducting core. We emphasize how each of these core-field processes drive magnetic evolution and affect observables, and show that when all forces are considered together in vectorial form, the net expulsion of core magnetic flux is negligible, and will have no observable effect in the crust (consequently in the observed surface emission) on megayear time-scales. Our new simulations suggest that strong magnetic fields in NS cores (and the signatures on the NS surface) will persist long after the crustal magnetic field has evolved and decayed, due to the weak combined effects of dissipation and expulsion in the stellar core.

Stellar coronal response to differential rotation and flux emergence

We perform a numerical parameter study to determine what effect varying differential rotation and flux emergence has on a star's non-potential coronal magnetic field. In particular we consider the effects on the star's surface magnetic flux, open magnetic flux, mean azimuthal field strength, coronal free magnetic energy, coronal heating and flux rope eruptions. To do this, we apply a magnetic flux transport model to describe the photospheric evolution, and couple this to the non-potential coronal evolution using a magnetofrictional technique. A flux emergence model is applied to add new magnetic flux onto the photosphere and into the corona. The parameters of this flux emergence model are derived from the solar flux emergence profile, however the rate of emergence can be increased to represent higher flux emergence rates than the Sun's. Overall we find that flux emergence has a greater effect on the non-potential coronal properties compared to differential rotation, with all the aforementioned properties increasing with increasing flux emergence rate. Although differential rotation has a lesser effect on the overall coronal properties compared to flux emergence, varying differential rotation does alter the coronal structure. As the differential rotation rate increases, the corona becomes more open, and more non-potential.

Lithium Depletion Boundary Ages of Young Stars: Inconsistencies in Pre-Main Sequence Models

AbstractFor proper interpretations of various phenomena in young stars and planetary systems, knowledge of accurate stellar ages is very important. Among a handful of age dating methods commonly used for young (≲500 Myr) stars, lithium depletion boundary (LDB) ages have recently become the most cited and accepted age estimates. However, because of inconsistencies in theoretical evolutionary models, especially for lithium depletion calculations, one has to be cautious in using LDB ages. For a given luminosity, the lithium depletion process is too slow, causing LDB ages to appear older. Various stellar processes affect the surface lithium abundance, and these effects include star spots, accretion history, and magnetic fields. Until we have a self-consistent theoretical evolutionary model for young stars including all relevant stellar effects, caution should be taken when LDB ages are used.

On the maximum accretion luminosity of magnetized neutron stars: connecting X-ray pulsars and ultraluminous X-ray sources

We study properties of luminous X-ray pulsars using a simplified model of the accretion column. The maximal possible luminosity is calculated as a function of the neutron star (NS) magnetic field and spin period. It is shown that the luminosity can reach values of the order of $10^{40}\,{\rm erg/s}$ for the magnetar-like magnetic field ($B\gtrsim 10^{14}\,{\rm G}$) and long spin periods ($P\gtrsim 1.5\,{\rm s}$). The relative narrowness of an area of feasible NS parameters which are able to provide higher luminosities leads to the conclusion that $L\simeq 10^{40}\,\,{\rm erg/s}$ is a good estimate for the limiting accretion luminosity of a NS. Because this luminosity coincides with the cut-off observed in the high mass X-ray binaries luminosity function which otherwise does not show any features at lower luminosities, we can conclude that a substantial part of ultra-luminous X-ray sources are accreting neutron stars in binary systems.

Interpreting the AXP 1E 2259+586 antiglitch as a change in internal magnetization

The sudden spin-down event ('anti-glitch') observed in AXP 1E 2259+586 on 2012 April 21 was arguably caused by a decay of its internal toroidal magnetic field component, which turns a stable prolate configuration into an unstable one. We refine previous models of this process by modelling the star's magnetic field self-consistently as a 'twisted torus' configuration in non-barotropic equilibrium (which allows us to explore a greater range of equilibrium configurations). It is shown that, if the star's magnetic field is purely dipolar, the change in the toroidal field strength required to produce an anti-glitch of the observed size can be ~ 10 times larger than previously calculated. If the star has a quadrupolar magnetic field component, then an anti-glitch of similar magnitude can be produced via a decay of the quadrupole component, in addition to a decay of the toroidal component. We show that, if the quadrupole component decays, the minimum initial toroidal field strength and the change in toroidal field strength needed to produce the observed anti-glitch are lower than in the pure dipole twisted torus. In addition, we predict the maximum anti-glitch sizes, assuming that they are caused by a change in ellipticity, in four glitching magnetars and discuss the implications for energetics of accompanying X-ray bursts.

Appearance of the prolate and the toroidal magnetic field dominated stars: Analytic approach

Abstract We have analyzed magnetized equilibrium states and shown a condition for the appearance of the prolate and the toroidal magnetic field-dominated stars using analytic approaches. Both observations and numerical stability analysis support that the magnetized star would have prolate and large internal toroidal magnetic fields. In this context, many investigations concerning magnetized equilibrium states have been tried to obtain the prolate and the toroidal dominant solutions, but many of them have failed to obtain such configurations. Since the Lorentz force is a cross-product of current density and magnetic field, the prolate-shaped configurations and the large toroidal magnetic fields in stars require a special relation between current density and the Lorentz force. We have analyzed simple analytical solutions and found that the prolate and the toroidal-dominant configuration require non-force-free toroidal current density that flows in the opposite direction with respect to the bulk current within the star. Such current density results in the Lorentz force which makes the stellar shape prolate. Satisfying this special relation between the current density and the Lorentz force is a key to the appearance of the prolate and the toroidal magnetic field-dominated magnetized star.

B fields in OB stars (BOB): FORS 2 spectropolarimetric follow-up of the two rare rigidly rotating magnetosphere stars HD 23478 and HD 345439

Massive B-type stars with strong magnetic fields and fast rotation are very rare and provide a mystery for theories of both star formation and magnetic field evolution. Only two such stars, called sigma Ori E analogs, were previously known. Recently, a team involved in APOGEE, one of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey III programs, announced the discovery of two additional rigidly rotating magnetosphere stars, HD23478 and HD345439. The presence of magnetic fields in these newly discovered sigma Ori E analogs was not investigated in the past. In the framework of our ESO Large Programme, and one normal ESO programme, we carried out low-resolution FORS2 spectropolarimetric observations of HD23478 and HD345439. From the measurements using hydrogen lines, we discover a rather strong longitudinal magnetic field of the order of up to 1.5kG in HD23478, and up to 1.3kG using the entire spectrum. The analysis of HD345439 using four subsequent spectropolarimetric subexposures does not reveal the presence of a magnetic field at a significance level of 3sigma. On the other hand, the inspection of individual subexposures indicates that HD345439 may host a strong magnetic field, rapidly varying over 88 minutes. A hint at the fast rotation of HD345439 is also given by the behaviour of several metallic and He I lines in the low-resolution FORS2 spectra, showing profile variations already on such a short time scale.

FIRST ZEEMAN DOPPLER IMAGING OF A COOL STAR USING ALL FOUR STOKES PARAMETERS

Magnetic fields are ubiquitous in active cool stars but they are in general complex and weak. Current Zeeman Doppler imaging (ZDI) studies of cool star magnetic fields chiefly employ circular polarization observations because linear polarization is difficult to detect and requires a more sophisticated radiative transfer modeling to interpret. But it has been shown in previous theoretical studies, and in the observational analyses of magnetic Ap stars, that including linear polarization in the magnetic inversion process makes it possible to correctly recover many otherwise lost or misinterpreted magnetic features. We have obtained phase-resolved observations in all four Stokes parameters of the RS CVn star II Peg at two separate epochs. Here we present temperature and magnetic field maps reconstructed for this star using all four Stokes parameters. This is the very first such ZDI study of a cool active star. Our magnetic inversions reveal a highly structured magnetic field topology for both epochs. The strength of some surface features is doubled or even quadrupled when linear polarization is taken into account. The total magnetic energy of the reconstructed field map also becomes about 2.1-3.5 times higher. The overall complexity is also increased as the field energy is shifted towards higher harmonic modes when four Stokes parameters are used. As a consequence, the potential field extrapolation of the four Stokes parameter ZDI results indicates that magnetic field becomes weaker at a distance of several stellar radii due to a decrease of the large-scale field component.

Three dimensional simulation of the magnetic stress in a neutron star crust.

We present the first fully self-consistent three dimensional model of a neutron star's magnetic field, generated by electric currents in the star's crust via the Hall effect. We find that the global-scale field converges to a dipolar Hall-attractor state, as seen in recent axisymmetric models, but that small-scale features in the magnetic field survive even on much longer time scales. These small-scale features propagate toward the dipole equator, where the crustal electric currents organize themselves into a strong equatorial jet. By calculating the distribution of magnetic stresses in the crust, we predict that neutron stars with fields stronger than 10^{14} G can still be subject to starquakes more than 10^{5} yr after their formation.

Three-dimensional evolution of magnetic fields in a differentially rotating stellar radiative zone

The question of the origin and evolution of magnetic fields in stars possessing a radiative envelope, like the A-type stars, is still regarded as a challenge for stellar physics. Those zones are likely to be differentially rotating, which suggests that strong interactions between differential rotation and magnetic fields could be at play. We numerically compute the joint evolution of the magnetic and velocity fields in a 3D spherical shell starting from an initial profile for the poloidal magnetic field and differential rotation. The poloidal magnetic field is initially wound-up by the differential rotation to produce a toroidal field which becomes unstable. In the particular setup studied here where the differential rotation is dominant, the magneto-rotational instability is triggered. The growth rate of the instability depends mainly on the initial rotation rate, while the background state typically oscillates over a poloidal Alfv\'en time. We thus find that the axisymmetric magnetic configuration is strongly modified by the instability only if the ratio between the poloidal Alfv\'en frequency and the rotation rate is sufficiently small. An enhanced transport of angular momentum is found in the most unstable cases: the typical time to flatten the rotation profile is then much faster than the diffusion time scale. We conclude that the magneto-rotational instability is always favored (over the Tayler instability) in unstratified spherical shells when an initial poloidal field is sheared by a sufficiently strong cylindrical differential rotation. A possible application to the magnetic desert observed among A stars is given. We argue that the dichotomy between stars exhibiting strong axisymmetric fields (Ap stars) and those harboring a sub-Gauss magnetism could be linked to the threshold for the instability.

Disordered nuclear pasta, magnetic field decay, and crust cooling in neutron stars.

Nuclear pasta, with nonspherical shapes, is expected near the base of the crust in neutron stars. Large-scale molecular dynamics simulations of pasta show long lived topological defects that could increase electron scattering and reduce both the thermal and electrical conductivities. We model a possible low-conductivity pasta layer by increasing an impurity parameter Q_{imp}. Predictions of light curves for the low-mass x-ray binary MXB 1659-29, assuming a large Q_{imp}, find continued late time cooling that is consistent with Chandra observations. The electrical and thermal conductivities are likely related. Therefore, observations of late time crust cooling can provide insight on the electrical conductivity and the possible decay of neutron star magnetic fields (assuming these are supported by currents in the crust).

Swift J0513.4−6547 = LXP 27.2: a new Be/X-ray binary system in the Large Magellanic Cloud

An exceptionally bright new X-ray source in the Large Magellanic Cloud was discovered by the Swift/BAT telescope on MJD 54923 (2 April 2009), and shown to have a pulse period of 27s using follow-up observations by RXTE/PCA. We report here on detailed timing observations taken over the following weeks using Fermi/GBM which reveal an excellent orbital solution and indicate that the source flux peaked at $\sim10^{38}$ erg s$^{-1}$. In addition, we report on follow-up optical observations (spectroscopic and photometric) which permit a classification of the mass donor star as B1Ve, and furthermore reveal a strong optical modulation at a period consistent with the binary period found from the Fermi/GBM data - 27.4 d. The dynamical mass estimate for the Be star is not in agreement with that expected for a B1V star - a mismatch similar to this has been previously reported for the few other Magellanic Cloud stars that also have dynamical mass estimates. In addition, the neutron star magnetic field determination from the X-ray data ($\sim10^{13}$ G) adds further evidence to the possibility that many such stars in High Mass X-ray Binary systems may have magnetic fields greater than previously expected ($\sim10^{12}$ G).

The high optical polarization in the Be/X-ray binary EXO 2030+375

Polarization in classical Be stars results from Thomson scattering of the unpolarized light from the Be star in the circumstellar disc. Theory and observations agree that the maximum degree of polarization from isolated Be stars is ≲4 per cent. We report on the first optical polarimetric observations of the Be/X-ray binary EXO 2030+375. We find that the optical (R-band) light is strongly linearly polarized with a degree of polarization of 19 per cent, the highest ever measured either in a classical or Be/X-ray binary. We argue that the interstellar medium cannot account for this high-polarization degree and that a substantial amount must be intrinsic to the source. We propose that it may result from the alignment of non-spherical ferromagnetic grains in the Be star disc due to the strong neutron star magnetic field.

Strong evidences for a nonextensive behavior of the rotation period in open clusters

Time-dependent nonextensivity in a stellar astrophysical scenario combines nonextensive entropic indices qK derived from the modified Kawaler's parametrization, and q, obtained from rotational velocity distribution. These q's are related through a heuristic single relation given by , where t is the cluster age. In a nonextensive scenario, these indices are quantities that measure the degree of nonextensivity present in the system. Recent studies reveal that the index q is correlated to the formation rate of high-energy tails present in the distribution of rotation velocity. On the other hand, the index qK is determined by the stellar rotation-age relationship. This depends on the magnetic-field configuration through the expression , where a and N denote the saturation level of the star magnetic field and its topology, respectively. In the present study, we show that the connection is also consistent with 548 rotation period data for single main-sequence stars in 11 open clusters aged less than 1 Gyr. The value of qK ∼ 2.5 from our unsaturated model shows that the mean magnetic-field topology of these stars is slightly more complex than a purely radial field. Our results also suggest that stellar rotational braking behavior affects the degree of anti-correlation between q and cluster age t. Finally, we suggest that stellar magnetic braking can be scaled by the entropic index q.

The return to quiescence of Aql X-1 following the 2010 outburst

Aql X-1 is the most prolific low mass X-ray binary transient hosting a neutron star. In this paper we focus on the return to quiescence following the 2010 outburst of the source. This decay was monitored thanks to 11 pointed observations taken with XMM-Newton, Chandra and Swift. The decay from outburst to quiescence is very fast, with an exponential decay characteristic time scale of ~2 d. Once in quiescence the X-ray flux of Aql X-1 remained constant, with no further signs of variability or decay. The comparison with the only other well-monitored outburst from Aql X-1 (1997) is tail-telling. The luminosities at which the fast decay starts are fully compatible for the two outbursts, hinting at a mechanism intrinsic to the system and possibly related to the neutron star rotation and magnetic field (i.e., the propeller effect). In addition, for both outbursts, the decay profiles are also very similar, likely resulting from the shut-off of the accretion process onto the neutron star surface. Finally, the quiescent neutron star temperatures at the end of the outbursts are well consistent with one another, suggesting a hot neutron star core dominating the thermal balance. Small differences in the quiescent X-ray luminosity among the two outbursts can be attributed to a different level of the power law component.

Physics of Stars and Measurement Data: Part I

The explanation of dependencies of the parameters of the stars and the Sun which was measured by astronomers is considered as a main task of the physics of stars. This theory is based on taking into account of the existence of a gravity- induced electric polarization of intra-stellar plasma because this plasma is an electrically polarized substance. The accounting of the gravity-induced electric polarization gives the explanation to data of astronomical measurements: the temperature- radius-mass-luminosity relations, the spectra of seismic oscillations of the Sun, distribution of stars on their masses, magnetic fields of stars and etc. The stellar radiuses, masses and temperatures are expressed by the corresponding ratios of the funda- mental constants, and individuality of stars are determined by two parameters - by the charge and mass numbers of nuclei, from which a stellar plasma is composed. This theory is the lack of a collapse in the final stage of the star development, as well as black holes that could be results from a such collapse.

Exploring jet-launching conditions for supergiant fast X-ray transients

In the magneto-centrifugal mechanism for jet formation, accreting neutron stars are assumed to produce relativistic jets only if their surface magnetic field is weak enough ($B \sim 10^8$ G). However, the most common manifestation of neutron stars are pulsars, whose magnetic field distribution peaks at $B \sim 10^{12}$ G. If the neutron star magnetic field has at least this strength at birth, it must decay considerably before jets can be launched in binary systems. We study the magnetic field evolution of a neutron star that accretes matter from the wind of a high-mass stellar companion so that we can constrain the accretion rate and the impurities in the crust, which are necessary conditions for jet formation. We solved the induction equation for the diffusion and convection of the neutron star magnetic field confined to the crust, assuming spherical accretion in a simpliflied one-dimensional treatment. We incorporated state-of-the-art microphysics, including consistent thermal evolution profiles, and assumed two different neutron star cooling scenarios based on the superfluidity conditions at the core. We find that in this scenario, magnetic field decay at long timescales is governed mainly by the accretion rate, while the impurity content and thermal evolution of the neutron star play a secondary role. For accretion rates $\dot{M}\gtrsim10^{-10}$ M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$, surface magnetic fields can decay up to four orders of magnitude in $\sim$10$^7$ yr, which is the timescale imposed by the evolution of the high-mass stellar companion in these systems. Based on these results, we discuss the possibility of transient jet-launching in strong wind-accreting high-mass binary systems like supergiant fast X-ray transients.

The properties of the progenitor, neutron star, and pulsar wind in the supernova remnant Kes 75

AbstractBy studying composite supernova remnants (SNRs), remnants which contain a pulsar wind nebula (PWN), it is possible to estimate physical properties of the progenitor explosion, central neutron star, and its pulsar wind that are difficult to measure directly. This is best done by fitting the dynamical and broadband spectral properties of a PWN with an evolutionary model for a PWN inside an SNR. We apply such a model to the composite SNR Kes 75, whose associated pulsar PSR J1846‐0258 is thought to have an extremely strong surface magnetic field. If ∼3 M⊙ of mass was ejected in the supernova, our model suggests a normal or slightly subenergetic supernova in a low density environment. Additionally, for the measured pre‐outburst braking index of p = 2.65, our model prefers an age of ∼430 years and an initial spin period P0 ∼ 0.2 s. Lastly, the magnetization of the pulsar wind and energy spectrum of particles injected at the termination shock are similar to those observed from other PWNe powered by less magnetized neutron stars. While further study is needed to verify these results, they are nominally inconsistent with strong neutron star magnetic fields resulting from very fast initial rotation. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)