Magnetic Field Generation Research Articles

Primordial magnetogenesis in a bouncing model with dark energy

We investigate primordial magnetogenesis within a quantum bouncing model driven by a scalar field, focusing on various non-minimal couplings between the electromagnetic field and the scalar field. We test three cases: no coupling, a Cauchy coupling with gradual decay, and a Gaussian coupling with rapid fall-off. By exploring these scenarios, we assess a wide range of coupling strengths across different scales. The scalar field, with an exponential potential, behaves as pressureless matter in the asymptotic past of the contracting phase, as stiff matter around the bounce, and as dark energy during the expanding phase. Our findings reveal that, among the tested cases, only the Gaussian coupling can explain the generation of primordial magnetic fields on cosmological scales.

Unravelling sub-stellar magnetospheres

At the sub-stellar boundary, signatures of magnetic fields begin to manifest at radio wavelengths, analogous to the auroral emission of the magnetised solar system planets. This emission provides a singular avenue for measuring magnetic fields at planetary scales in extrasolar systems. So far, exoplanets have eluded detection at radio wavelengths. However, ultracool dwarfs (UCDs), their higher mass counterparts, have been detected for over two decades in the radio. Given their similar characteristics to massive exoplanets, UCDs are ideal targets to bridge our understanding of magnetic field generation from stars to planets. In this work, we develop a new tomographic technique for inverting both the viewing angle and large-scale magnetic field structure of UCDs from observations of coherent radio bursts. We apply our methodology to the nearby T8 dwarf WISE J062309.94-045624.6 (J0623) which was recently detected at radio wavelengths, and show that it is likely viewed pole-on. We also find that J0623's rotation and magnetic axes are misaligned significantly, reminiscent of Uranus and Neptune, and show that it may be undergoing a magnetic cycle with a period exceeding 6 months in duration. These findings demonstrate that our method is a robust new tool for studying magnetic fields on planetary-mass objects. With the advent of next-generation low-frequency radio facilities, the methods presented here could facilitate the characterisation of exoplanetary magnetospheres for the first time.

A concise 40 T pulse magnet for condensed matter experiments

There is a growing interest in using pulsed high magnetic field as a controlling parameter of physical phenomena in various scientific disciplines, such as condensed matter physics, particle physics, plasma physics, chemistry, and biological studies. We devised a concise and portable pulsed magnetic field generator that produces a 40 T field with a pulse duration of 2 ms. It is assembled using only off-the-shelf components and a homemade coil that leverages small computers, Raspberry Pi, and Python codes. It allows for straightforward modification for general purposes. As working examples, we show representative applications in condensed matter experiments of magnetoresistance, magnetization, and magnetostriction measurements for graphite, NdNi2P2, and NdCo2P2, respectively, with the maximum magnetic field of 41 T and the lowest temperature of 4.2 K.

Mean field responses in disordered systems: an example from nonlinear MHD

Understanding the generation of large-scale magnetic fields and flows in magnetohydro-dynamical (MHD) turbulence remains one of the most challenging problems in astrophysical fluid dynamics. Although much work has been done on the kinematic generation of large-scale magnetic fields by turbulence, relatively little attention has been paid to the much more difficult problem in which fields and flows interact on an equal footing. The aim is to find conditions for long-wavelength instabilities of stationary MHD states. Here, we first revisit the formal exposition of the long-wavelength linear instability theory, showing how long-wavelength perturbations are governed by four mean field tensors; we then show how these tensors may be calculated explicitly under the ‘short-sudden’ approximation for the turbulence. For MHD states with relatively little disorder, the linear theory works well: average quantities can be readily calculated, and stability to long-wavelength perturbations determined. However, for disordered basic states, linear perturbations can grow without bound and the purely linear theory, as formulated, cannot be applied. We then address the question of whether there is a linear response for sufficiently weak mean fields and flows in a dynamical (nonlinear) evolution, where perturbations are guaranteed to be bounded. As a preliminary study, we first address the nature of the response in a series of one-dimensional maps. For the full MHD problem, we show that in certain circumstances, there is a clear linear response; however, in others, mean quantities – and hence the nature of the response – can be difficult to calculate.

Investigation on Melting Curves and Phase Diagrams for CaO3 Using Deep Learning Potentials.

Melting in the deep rocky parts of planets plays an important role in geological processes such as planet formation, seismicity, magnetic field generation, thermal convection, and crustal evolution. Such processes are the key way to understanding the dynamics of planetary interiors and the history as well as mechanisms of planetary evolution. We herein investigate the melting curves and pressure-temperature (P-T)-phase diagrams for CaO3, a candidate mineral for the lower mantle, by means of the deep learning potential model. Using first-principles, molecular dynamics, and quasi-harmonic approximation, the reliability of the deep learning potential model is verified by calculating the high-temperature and high-pressure equations of state and phase transition pressures for the orthorhombic and tetragonal structures of CaO3 described by space groups Aea2 and P4̅21m, respectively. The melting temperatures of 975, 850, and 755 K at zero pressure are obtained by the single-phase, void, and two-phase methods, respectively, and their melting temperatures are analyzed by the radial distribution function and mean-square displacement to analyze the melting process. Finally, the melting phase diagrams of CaO3 at 0-135 GPa were obtained by the two-phase method.

Strong magnetic actuation system with enhanced field articulation through stacks of individually addressed coils

Miniaturization of medical tools promises to revolutionize surgery by reducing tissue trauma and accelerating recovery. Magnetic untethered devices, with their ability to access hard-to-reach areas without physical connections, emerge as potential candidates for such miniaturization. Despite the benefits, these miniature devices face challenges regarding force and torque outputs, restricting their ability to perform tasks requiring mechanical interactions such as tissue penetration and manipulation. To overcome magnetic actuation system-based force and torque limitations, this study proposes Variable Outer Radius Individually Addressable Coil Stacks (VORIACS), a novel magnetic actuation system optimized for high force output generation to magnetic devices within its workspace. The VORIACS marks significant improvements and breakthroughs in magnetic actuation within decimeter-scale workspace. The VORIACS is comprised of 12 coils that are optimized for 2D magnetic field generation under maximized power consumption of up to 12 kW. We implement six two-channel motor controllers, powered by six separate power supplies. Each of the twelve coils in the system is operated on its own motor-controller channel. This arrangement allows the system to exceed the magnetic forces and torques possible for single-coil versions of the same geometry. This study elaborates on optimizing, manufacturing, integrating, and demonstrating this system. Comparative analysis reveals that while a suboptimal, single-coil version of this system generates 0.31 N force (710 mT/m magnetic gradient magnitude), the VORIACS produces 1.673 N force (3834 mT/m magnetic gradient magnitude) on the same magnetic object placed 5 cm away from the coils. Moreover, the strong penetration force generated by VORIACS enables needle penetration to a mock gel that has the rigidity of liver tissue. In addition, we demonstrate the advantage of stacked coils with variable radii for magnetic field manipulability while maintaining the optimized force delivery property of the system, which improves control and could facilitate multi-tool manipulation. By enabling a fivefold increase in magnetic pulling force compared to its single-coil counterpart, VORICAS raises the potential penetration capabilities of untethered magnetic robotics in surgical procedures.

Solar internetwork magnetic fields: Statistical comparison between observations and MHD simulations

Although the magnetic fields in the quiet Sun account for the majority of the magnetic energy in the solar photosphere, inferring their exact spatial distribution, origin, and evolution poses an important challenge because the signals lie at the limit of today's instrumental precision. This severely hinders and biases our interpretations, which are mostly made through nonlinear model-fitting approaches. Our goal is to directly compare simulated and observed polarization signals in the Fe I $ angstrom $ and $ angstrom $ spectral lines in the very quiet Sun, the so-called solar internetwork (IN). This way, we aim to constrain the mechanism responsible for the generation of the quiet Sun magnetism while avoiding the biases that plague other diagnostic methods. We used three different three-dimensional radiative magneto-hydrodynamic simulations representing different scenarios of magnetic field generation in the internetwork: small-scale dynamo, decay of active regions, and horizontal flux emergence. We synthesized Stokes profiles at different viewing angles and degraded them according to the instrumental specifications of the spectro-polarimeter (SP) on board the Hinode satellite. Finally, we statistically compared the simulated spectra to the Hinode/SOT/SP observations at the appropriate viewing angles. Of the three simulations, the small-scale dynamo best reproduced the statistical properties of the observed polarization signals. This is especially prominent for the disk center viewing geometry, where the agreement is excellent. Moving toward more inclined lines of sight, the agreement worsens slightly. The agreement between the small-scale dynamo simulation and observations at the disk center suggests that small-scale dynamo action plays an important role in the generation of quiet Sun magnetism. However, the magnetic field around 50 km above the continuum layer in this simulation does not reproduce observations as well as at the very base of the photosphere.

Enhanced Joule heat release at surface irregularities

The heat release that occurs in a cylindrical conductor carrying an alternating current is analyzed for the cases when the conductor has axisymmetric surface irregularities of one of three types: local bumps, local pits, and sequences of alternating bumps and pits (wavy irregularities). The magnetic field and current density distributions over the conductor cross section have been simulated. The simulation parameters were chosen to match the conditions of experiments on the generation of strong magnetic fields. However, due to the analysis of the initial heating stage, the problem is solved neglecting the temperature dependence of the resistivity of the material. A multiple increase in heat release power in the vicinity of a surface irregularity has been revealed for the three types of irregularities.

Bone regeneration-enhancing effects of extremely low-frequency electromag- netic fields: Analysis using fish scales as a bone model.

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) noninvasively promote fracture healing, prevent osteoporosis, promote diaphyseal growth, enhance differentiation, and stimulate cell division. However, no good model systems for analyzing bone regeneration have been reported. In this study, we examined the in vivo regeneration of scales having osteoblasts and osteoclasts using a new magnetic field generator for exposing aquatic animals to EMFs at a sine-wave frequency of 60 Hz. Goldfish scales were put into a fish-breeding space with the developed magnetic field generator and exposed to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) of 60 Hz at an intensity of 1, 3, and 5 mT for 10 days while being regenerated the scales. After exposure, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activities in the goldfish scales were measured as markers of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, respectively. As a result, both ALP and TRAP activities in regenerating scales exposed to 3 mT ELF-EMFs were higher than those in regenerating scales exposed to 1 and 5 mT ELF-EMFs. Exposure of scales to 3 mT ELF-EMFs significantly enhanced the scale regeneration rate. Exposure of rat calvaria to 3 mT ELF-EMFs also increased both ALP and TRAP activities like in goldfish scales. Thus, we concluded that 3 mT ELF-EMFs contribute to the medical treatment of bone diseases.

Effect of a longitudinal magnetic field on streamer propagation in air: Numerical simulation

Two-dimensional numerical simulation of the negative streamer propagation in external electric and magnetic fields is performed for the case when applied electric and magnetic field vectors are parallel to the symmetry axis of the problem. The calculations are performed for air (a mixture of 80% N2 and 20% O2) with a concentration of gas molecules equal to Loshmidt's number. It is shown that the presence of a longitudinal field leads to a noticeable increase in the streamer propagation velocity associated with a decrease in its radius, which agrees with the known analytical estimates.

Dynamical generation of macroscale magnetic fields and fast flows in a four-component astrophysical plasma

We explore the possibility of the generation or amplification of macroscale magnetic fields and flows in a four-component astrophysical dusty plasma composed of mobile massless electrons and positrons, inertial positive ions and negatively charged static dust particles. The investigation demonstrates that when microscopic turbulent ambient plasma energy is predominantly kinetic, a straight dynamo (DY) mechanism is feasible. Conversely, a unified reverse-dynamo/dynamo (RDY/DY) mechanism is possible when the microscopic turbulent ambient plasma energy is primarily magnetic. Additionally, the evolution of Alfvén Mach numbers at the macro- and microscale are significantly affected by plasma species densities and invariant helicities. The potential implications of the present study for astrophysical settings are also highlighted.

Micron resolved Quantum precision measurement of magnetic field at Tesla level

Abstract We develop a quantum precision measurement method of magnetic field at Tesla level, utilizing a fiber diamond magnetometer. Central to our system is a micron-sized fiber diamond probe positioned on the surface of a coplanar waveguide made of nonmagnetic materials. Calibrated with the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) magnetometer, this probe demonstrates a broad magnetic field range from 10 mT to 1.5 T with a nonlinear error better than 0.0028% under standard magnetic field generator, and stability better than 0.0012% at a 1.5 T magnetic field. Finally, we demonstrate quantitative mapping of the vector magnetic field on the surface of a permanent magnet using the diamond magnetometer.

Theoretical Modeling of the Exceptional GRB 221009A Afterglow

The extraordinary gamma-ray burst GRB 221009A provides a great opportunity to investigate the enigmatic origin and evolution of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). However, the complexity of the observations associated with this GRB provides significant challenges to developing a theoretical modeling in a coherent framework. In this paper, we present a theoretical interpretation of the GRB 221009A afterglow within the relativistic fireball scenario, aiming to describe the broadband data set with a consistent model evolution. We find that the adiabatic fireball evolution in the slow-cooling regime provides a viable scenario in good agreement with observations. Crucial to our analysis is the set of simultaneous GeV and TeV gamma-ray data obtained by AGILE and LHAASO during the early afterglow phases. Having successfully modeled as inverse Compton emission the high-energy spectral and lightcurve properties of the afterglow up to 104 s, we extend our model to later times when also optical and X-ray data are available. This approach results in a coherent physical framework that successfully describes all observed properties of the afterglow up to very late times, approximately 106 s. Our model requires time-variable microphysical parameters, with a moderately increasing efficiency ε e of a few percent for transferring the shock energy to radiating particles and a decreasing efficiency for magnetic field generation ε B in the range 10−5–10−7. Fitting the detailed multifrequency spectral data across the afterglow provides a unique test of our model.

Measurements of extended magnetic fields in laser-solid interaction

Magnetic fields generated from a laser-foil interaction are measured with high fidelity using a proton radiography scheme with x-ray fiducials. In contrast to prior findings under similar experimental conditions, this technique reveals the self-generated, Biermann-battery fields extend beyond the edge of the expanding plasma plume to a radius of over 3.5 mm by t=+1.4 ns. An analysis of two monoenergetic proton populations confirms that proton deflection is dominated by magnetic fields far from the interaction (>2 mm) and electric fields are insignificant. The results are not captured in state-of-the-art magnetohydrodynamics simulations and suggest the need to consider additional physics mechanisms for the magnetic field generation and transport in laser-solid interactions. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Transition to chaos in magnetized rotating Rayleigh-Bénard convection

Transition to chaos and magnetic field generation are investigated in numerical simulations of three-dimensional rotating Rayleigh-Bénard convection. The behavior of the system is explored as a function of the rotation speed, measured by the Taylor number, the thermal buoyancy strength, measured by the Rayleigh number, and the magnetic Prandtl number. In the absence of magnetic field, a detailed exploration of the space of parameters reveals a sequence of Hopf bifurcations leading to quasiperiodicity and chaos. It is shown that rotation can dampen convection for low values of the Rayleigh number, but if buoyancy is strong enough to keep the convection, then rotation facilitates transition to chaos. In the presence of a weak seed magnetic field, convective motions may trigger a nonlinear dynamo that converts kinetic energy into magnetic energy, leading to an exponential increase of the magnetic energy. A nonhysteretic blowout bifurcation is shown to be responsible for the onset of the dynamo regime for a critical magnetic Prandtl number, whose value depends on the rotation rate.

A Robust Tri-Electromagnet-Based 6-DoF Pose Tracking System Using an Error-State Kalman Filter.

Magnetic pose tracking is a non-contact, accurate, and occlusion-free method that has been increasingly employed to track intra-corporeal medical devices such as endoscopes in computer-assisted medical interventions. In magnetic pose-tracking systems, a nonlinear estimation algorithm is needed to recover the pose information from magnetic measurements. In existing pose estimation algorithms such as the extended Kalman filter (EKF), the 3-DoF orientation in the S3 manifold is normally parametrized as unit quaternions and simply treated as a vector in the Euclidean space, which causes a violation of the unity constraint of quaternions and reduces pose tracking accuracy. In this paper, a pose estimation algorithm based on the error-state Kalman filter (ESKF) is proposed to improve the accuracy and robustness of electromagnetic tracking systems. The proposed system consists of three electromagnetic coils for magnetic field generation and a tri-axial magnetic sensor attached to the target object for field measurement. A strategy of sequential coil excitation is developed to separate the magnetic fields from different coils and reject magnetic disturbances. Simulation and experiments are conducted to evaluate the pose tracking performance of the proposed ESKF algorithm, which is also compared with standard EKF and constrained EKF. It is shown that the ESKF can effectively maintain the quaternion unity and thus achieve a better tracking accuracy, i.e., a Euclidean position error of 2.23 mm and an average orientation angle error of 0.45°. The disturbance rejection performance of the electromagnetic tracking system is also experimentally validated.

Magnetogenesis via the canonical battery effect

We show by analyzing the time evolution of canonical vorticity that spontaneous generation of magnetic fields within an initially unmagnetized, vorticity-free plasma must be achieved through the canonical battery effect. This effect generalizes well-known magnetogenesis mechanisms across different regimes such as the Biermann battery in the isotropic regime and the Weibel instability in the kinetic regime, the latter of which is further verified by particle-in-cell simulations. Using the canonical battery term, a general prediction of any configuration of the pressure tensor that allows for magnetogenesis can be established. One such configuration—a two-dimensionally localized pressure anisotropy—that does not correspond to either of the mechanisms is derived and numerically verified. The advantage of using this term in magnetogenesis analyses is discussed. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Self-generated magnetic field in laser plasma with super-Gaussian distributed electrons

Considering the effects of non-Maxwellian distributed electrons and the generation of magnetic field on the inertial confinement fusion driven by laser, the quasi-static magnetic field generated by nonlinear magnetization current in laser plasma with super-Gaussian distributed electrons is studied. Based on the kinetic theory, an analytical expression for the spontaneous magnetic field in Fourier space, valid for arbitrary frequencies, has been obtained. According to the existing experimental data, the effects of the frequency, plasma temperature, and super-Gaussian index on the spontaneous magnetic field are analyzed through numerical calculations. It is shown that the strength of the spontaneous magnetic field first decreases and then increases with the increase in the super-Gaussian index when the laser intensity is ∼1012W/cm2. It is about the order of 100 G, which is much smaller than the experimental observation. When the laser intensity is ∼1016W/cm2, the strength of the spontaneous magnetic field increases monotonically with the super-Gaussian index in the low-frequency region, and behaves similarly to the one of the laser intensity ∼1012W/cm2 in the high-frequency region. It will be as large as megagauss, which is consistent with the experimental observation results. Moreover, the strength of the spontaneous magnetic field increases with the increase in frequency and the decrease in the electron temperature.

AC loss analysis on an HTS field winding of the generator with T-A formulation

In this study, we proposed a coupling model utilizing finite element software to estimate AC loss on the high-temperature superconducting (HTS) field winding of a 1 MW generator. The model comprises three distinct physical modules: rotating machinery and magnetic (RMM), electrical circuit (CE) and partial differential equation (PDE). These modules collaborate to resolve the generator's magnetic field distribution, rated output parameters and degree of current magnetization on the HTS field winding, employing Maxwell equations and T-A formulation. Given the placement of the HTS field winding on the rotor core, accurately calculating its loss in an electromagnetic field that varies both temporally and spatially presents a considerable challenge. To address this issue, we adjust the coordinate system within the PDE module to vary with the material rather than space. Our analysis reveals that the instantaneous AC loss of an HTS field winding comprises two primary components: the attenuation envelope and the oscillatory variation, resulting from the charging process and external harmonic magnetic fields. Additionally, we comprehensively discuss and analyze the influence of current excitation speed on instantaneous AC loss. Accurately estimating AC loss in HTS field windings is a critical and meaningful aspect of preliminary machine design. This study provides an essential reference for addressing this issue.

The Effect of External Magnetic Field on Electron Scale Kelvin–Helmholtz Instability

We use particle-in-cell, fully electromagnetic, plasma kinetic simulation to study the effect of external magnetic field on electron scale Kelvin–Helmholtz instability (ESKHI). The results are applicable to collisionless plasmas when, e.g., solar wind interacts with planetary magnetospheres or a magnetic field is generated in AGN jets. We find that as in the case of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) KHI, in the kinetic regime, the presence of an external magnetic field reduces the growth rate of the instability. In the MHD case, there is a known threshold magnetic field for KHI stabilization, while for ESKHI this is to be analytically determined. Without a kinetic analytical expression, we use several numerical simulation runs to establish an empirical dependence of ESKHI growth rate, Γ(B 0)ω pe, on the strength of the applied external magnetic field. We find the best fit is hyperbolic, Γ(B0)ωpe=Γ0ωpe/(A+BB¯0) , where Γ0 is the ESKHI growth rate without an external magnetic field and B¯0=B0/BMHD is the ratio of external and two-fluid MHD stability threshold magnetic field, derived here. An analytical theory to back up this growth rate dependence on the external magnetic field is needed. The results suggest that in astrophysical settings where a strong magnetic field pre-exists, the generation of an additional magnetic field by the ESKHI is suppressed, which implies that nature provides a “safety valve”—natural protection not to “over-generate” magnetic field by the ESKHI mechanism. Remarkably, we find that our two-fluid MHD threshold magnetic field is the same (up to a factor γ0 ) as the DC saturation magnetic field, previously predicted by fully kinetic theory.