Neutron stars are the endpoint of the life of intermediate mass stars and posses in their cores matter in the most extreme conditions in the universe. Besides their extremes of temperature (found in proto-neutron stars) and densities, typical neutron star' magnetic fields can easily reach trillions of times higher the one of the Sun. Among these stars, about 10% are denominated magnetars which possess even stronger surface magnetic fields of up to 10^15-10^16 G. In this conference proceeding, we present a short review of the history and current literature regarding the modeling of magnetic neutron stars. Our goal is to present the results regarding the introduction of magnetic fields in the equation of state of matter using Relativistic Mean Field models (RMF models) and in the solution of Einstein's equations coupled to the Maxwell's equations in order to generate a consistent calculation of magnetic stars structure. We discuss how equation of state modeling affects mass, radius, deformation, composition and magnetic field distribution in stars and also what are the open questions in this field of research.
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Limiting magnetic field for minimal deformation of a magnetized neutron star
Aims . In this work, we study the structure of neutron stars under the effect of a poloidal magnetic field and determine the limiting largest magnetic field strength that induces a deformation such that the ratio between the polar and equatorial radii does not exceed 2%. We consider that, under these conditions, the description of magnetic neutron stars in the spherical symmetry regime is still satisfactory. Methods . We described different compositions of stars (nucleonic, hyperonic, and hybrid) using three state-of-the-art relativistic mean field models (NL3 ω ρ , MBF, and CMF, respectively) for the microscopic description of matter, all in agreement with standard experimental and observational data. The structure of stars was described by the general relativistic solution of both Einstein’s field equations assuming spherical symmetry and Einstein-Maxwell’s field equations assuming an axi-symmetric deformation. Results . We find a limiting magnetic moment on the order of 2 × 10 31 Am 2 , which corresponds to magnetic fields on the order of 10 16 G at the surface and 10 17 G at the center of the star, above which the deformation due to the magnetic field is above 2%, and therefore not negligible. We show that the intensity of the magnetic field developed in the star depends on the equation of state (EoS), and, for a given baryonic mass and fixed magnetic moment, larger fields are attained with softer EoS. We also show that the appearance of exotic degrees of freedom, such as hyperons or a quark core, is disfavored in the presence of a very strong magnetic field. As a consequence, a highly magnetized nucleonic star may suffer an internal conversion due to the decay of the magnetic field, which could be accompanied by a sudden cooling of the star or a gamma ray burst.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1748621
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10143770
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Astronomy & Astrophysics
- Volume:
- 627
- ISSN:
- 0004-6361
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- A61
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201935310
