The findings reveal that the Tayler-Spruit dynamo, activated by fallback material from supernovae, is responsible for generating low-field magnetars. This discovery helps clarify a long-standing puzzle surrounding the existence of these peculiar neutron stars, which have been known since 2010.
Using state-of-the-art numerical simulations, the researchers examined the magneto-thermal evolution of neutron stars. They determined that a specific dynamo process occurring within the proto-neutron star phase is capable of producing the relatively weaker magnetic fields associated with low-field magnetars.
"Neutron stars emerge from the explosive deaths of massive stars," explained Dr. Andrei Igoshev, Research Fellow at Newcastle University's School of Mathematics, Statistics, and Physics. "While most of the outer layers of the progenitor star are ejected during the supernova, some material falls back onto the neutron star, accelerating its rotation.
"Our research demonstrates that this fallback plays a crucial role in the development of the magnetic field via the Tayler-Spruit dynamo. This theoretical mechanism was first proposed nearly 25 years ago but has only recently been verified through computer simulations. The resulting magnetic field is complex, with the internal field inside the star being significantly stronger than the external one."
Magnetars possess immense magnetic fields, often hundreds of trillions of times stronger than Earth's. These fields make them exceptionally bright and highly variable sources of X-ray radiation. However, some neutron stars with weaker magnetic fields also exhibit similar X-ray emissions and are classified as low-field magnetars. The dynamo process responsible for generating these fields converts the motion of plasma into magnetic energy.
Dr. Igoshev is now establishing a new research group at Newcastle University to further explore the intricate magnetic field structures of neutron stars.
Research Report:A connection between proto-neutron-star Tayler-Spruit dynamos and low-field magnetars
Related Links
Newcastle University
The Physics of Time and Space
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