Gamma-ray bursts as a result of the interaction of a shock from a supernova and a neutron-star companion

A supernova explosion in a close binary system in which one of the components is a compact magnetized object (neutron star or white dwarf) can form a narrow “tail” with length l _t ～10⁹ cm, width h _t ～10⁸ cm, and magnetic field B _t ～10⁶, due to the resulting shock wave flowing around the magnetosphere of the compact object. The energy released by the reconnection of magnetic field lines in this tail can accelerate electrons to relativistic speeds (γ≈10⁴), creating the conditions required for powerful synchrotron radiation at energies from hundreds of keV to several MeV, i.e., for a gamma-ray burst (GRB). The duration of this radiation will depend on the power of the shock that forms during the supernova. If the shock is not sufficiently powerful to tear off the magnetosphere tail from the compact object, the duration of the GRB will not exceed l _t /V _A ≤1 s, and the conditions necessary for an “afterglow” at softer energies will not arise. If the shock is more powerful, the tail can be torn from the magnetosphere, forming a narrow ejection, which is perceived in its relativistic motion toward the observer(Γ～10⁴) as an afterglow whose duration grows from tens of seconds at gamma-ray energies to tens of days in the optical. This may explain why afterglows are observed only in association with long GRBs (T ₉₀>10 s). Very short GRBs (T ₉₀<0.1 s) may be local, i.e., low-power, phenomena occurring in close pairs containing compact, magnetized objects, in which there is again an interaction between the magnetosphere of the compact object and a shock wave, but the shock is initiated by a flare on the companion, which is a red-dwarf cataclysmic variable, rather than by a supernova.     

Gamma-ray bursts from a close pulsar binary system?

The close neutron-star binary system comprised of the radio pulsars PSR J0737-3039 A,B is discussed. An analysis of the observational data indicates that the wind from pulsar A, which is more powerful than the wind from pulsar B, strongly distorts the magnetosphere of pulsar B. A shock separating the relativistic wind from pulsar A and the corotating magnetosphere of pulsar B should form inside the light cylinder of pulsar B. A weakly diverging “tail” of magnetic field is also formed, which stores a magnetic energy on the order of 10³⁰ erg. This energy could be liberated over a short time on the order of 0.1 s as a result of reconnection of the magnetic-force lines in this “tail,” leading to an outburst of electromagnetic radiation with energies near 100 keV, with an observed flux at the Earth of 4 × 10^?11 erg cm^?2 s^?2. Such outbursts would occur sporadically, as in the case of magnetic substorms in the Earth’s magnetosphere.     

Magnetic-field structure in the accretion disks of semi-detached binary systems

The results of three-dimensional MHD numerical simulations are used to investigate the characteristic properties of the magnetic-field structures in the accretion disks of semi-detached binary systems. It is assumed that the intrinsic magnetic field of the accretor star is dipolar. Turbulent diffusion of the magnetic field in the disk is taken into account. The SS Cyg system is considered as an example. The results of the numerical simulations show the intense generation of a predominantly toroidal magnetic field in the accretion disk. Magnetic zones with well defined structures for the toroidal magnetic field form in the disk, which are separated by current sheets in which there ismagnetic reconnection and current dissipation. Possible observational manifestations of such structures are discussed. It is shown that the interaction of a spiral precessional wave with the accretor’s magnetosphere could lead to quasi-periodic oscillations of the accretion rate.     

The generation of hard X-rays and relativistic protons observed during solar flares

The flare source of thermal X-rays above a magnetic arch in the corona arises from the dissipation of the magnetic energy of the current sheet formed at the reconnection of magnetic-field lines. The sources of hard X-rays emitted from the footpoints of the magnetic arch are beams of electrons accelerated in field-aligned currents induced by the Hall electric field generated in the current sheet. Both the hard X-rays detected above the active region and the type III radio emission are radiated by electrons accelerated in the field-aligned currents induced by Alfven waves. The solar cosmic rays are emitted promptly at the instant of the flare. It is important that the Lorentz electric field accelerates protons along the singular magnetic X line. The relativistic protons propagate along the interplanetary magnetic field. These protons have exponential spectra, typical for acceleration occurring in current sheets. A mechanism that is relevant for the generation of delayed cosmic rays, which demonstrate significant anisotropy and a power-law spectrum with γ ∼5, is also discussed.     

The spectrum of solar cosmic rays: Data of observations and numerical simulation

Analysis of the relativistic proton spectra of solar flares occurring in the 23rd solar activity cycle derived from data of a worldwide neutron monitor network and numerical modeling both provide evidence for the acceleration of charged particles by an electric field that arises in coronal current sheets during reconnection. The method used to obtain the spectra is based on simulating the response of a neutron monitor to an anisotropic flux of relativistic solar protons with specified parameters and determining the characteristics of the primary relativistic solar protons by fitting model responses to the observations. Studies of the dynamics of the energy spectra distinguish two populations of relativistic protons in solar cosmic-ray events: the so-called fast component, which arrives at the flux front of the solar cosmic rays, followed by the delayed slow component. The fast component is characterized by strong anisotropy and an exponential energy spectrum, in agreement with the spectrum yielded by mathematical modeling of particle acceleration by an electric field directed along the X line of the magnetic field. The slow component, whose propagation is probably diffusive, has a power-law spectrum.     

A new look at anomalous X-ray Pulsars

We explore the possibility of explaining Anomalous X-ray Pulsars (AXPs) and Soft Gammaray Repeaters (SGRs) in a scenario with fall-back magnetic accretion onto a young isolated neutron star. The X-ray emission of the pulsar in this case originates due to the accretion of matter onto the surface of the neutron star from a magnetic slab surrounding its magnetosphere. The spin-down rate of the neutron star expected in this picture is close to the observed value. We show that such neutron stars are relatively young and are going through the transition from the propeller state to the accretor state. The pulsar’s activity in gamma-rays is connected with its relative youth, and is enabled by energy stored in a non-equilibrium layer located in the crust of the low-mass neutron star. This energy can be released due to the mixing of matter in the neutron star crust with super heavy nuclei approaching its surface and becoming unstable. The fission of nuclei in the low-density region initiates chain reactions leading to a nuclear explosion. Outbursts are probably triggered by instability developing in the region where the matter accreted by the neutron star accumulates in the magnetic polar regions.     

Disk accretion onto a magnetized star

An exact solution is found for the interaction of a rotating magnetic field that is frozen into a star with a thin, highly conducting accretion disk. The disk pushes the magnetic-field lines towards the star, compressing the stellar dipole magnetic field. At the corotation radius, where the Keplerian and stellar rotational frequencies are equal, a current loop appears. Electric currents flow in the magnetosphere only along two particular magnetic surfaces, which connect the corotation region and the inner edge of the disk with the stellar surface. It is shown that a closed current surface encloses the magnetosphere. The disk rotation is stopped at some distance from the stellar surface, equal to 0.55 of the corotation radius. The accretion from the disk spins up the stellar rotation. The angular momentum transferred to the star is determined.     

Acceleration of charged particles in collapsing magnetic traps during solar flares

This paper examines the mechanisms for the acceleration of electrons, protons, and ions during solar flares. The acceleration is assumed to occur in two steps. The particles are first pre-accelerated by the electric field of a high-temperature current sheet undergoing magnetic reconnection. A collapsing magnetic trap in the solar corona provides further acceleration. It is shown that the Fermi mechanism accelerates trapped protons and ions even more efficiently than it does electrons. The particles escaping from the trap have energies reaching several GeV. The energy distribution of the accelerated ions is essentially independent of their mass and degree of ionization.     

Radiation of a neutrino mechanism for type II supernovae

We propose a new mechanism for type II supernova explosions. An important element of the model is large-scale convection that arises due to non-equilibrium neutronization of the matter in the central region of the proto-neutron star. Our analytical estimates and numerical simulations of the convection rate are in good mutual agreement. Large-scale convection leads to the rapid transport of neutrinos from the center of the star to the bounce shock formed during the pause in the collapse of the stellar matter in the proto-neutron star. The mean neutrino energy is 30–50 MeV. We analyze the dependence of the mean neutrino energy on the size of the convection cells—“bubbles.” Our computations of the interaction between the neutrinos and the shock show that the velocity of the shock along the rotational axis of the star exceeds the escape velocity. Thus, explosion of the envelope and a supernova with a very asymmetrical envelope structure become possible, leading to the formation of a neutron star.     

A model of a solar flare: Comparisons with observations of high-energy processes

New data for the energy and location of the hard-emission centers of a solar flare agree with an electrodynamic model of a solar flare based on the idea of the accumulation of free magnetic energy in the field of a current sheet. Three-dimensional MHD simulations are used to show that the energy stored in the preflare magnetic field of the current sheet is sufficient for the development of a flare and a coronal mass ejection. The flare and coronal mass ejection result from the explosive decay of the current sheet. The position of the brightness-temperature maximum of the radio emission during the flare coincides with the maximum of the current in the current sheet. The exponential spectrum of relativistic protons generated during the flare is consistent with acceleration by the electric field during the current-sheet decay.     

The pulsar J1852+0040 in Kes 79 and the nature of central compact objects in supernova remnants

A possible model for the pulsar PSR J1852+0040 associated with the supernova remnant Kes 79 and detected in place of a central compact object in this remnant is discussed. The main observational properties of the pulsar can be understood as consequences of its weak surface magnetic field (B _s < 3 × 10¹¹ G) and short rotational period (P ～ 0.1 s). Its X-ray emission is thermal, and is generated in a small region near the surface of the neutron star due to cooling of the surface as the surface accretes matter from a relict disk surrounding the pulsar. The radio emission is generated in the outer layers of the pulsar magnetosphere by the synchrotron (cyclotron) mechanism. The optical luminosity of J1852+0040 is estimated to be L _opt < 10²⁸ erg/s. If the spectral features in another central compact object, 1E 1207.4+5209, are interpreted as electron cyclotron lines, this provides evidence for a weak surface magnetic field for this neutron star as well (B < 6 × 10¹⁰ G). The hypothesis that all central compact objects have weak surface fields makes it possible to explain the number of detected central compact objects, the absence of pulsar-wind nebulae associated with these objects, and the fact that no pulsar has yet been detected at the position of SN 1987a. We suggest that, after the supernova remnant has dissipated, the central compact object becomes a weak X-ray source (XDINS), whose weak emission is also due to the weakness of its magnetic field.     

Propagation of a fast magnetoacoustic shock wave in the magnetosphere of an active region

The propagation of a fast magnetoacoustic shock wave the magnetosphere of a solar active region is considered the nonlinear geometrical acoustics approximation. The magnetic field is modeled as a subphotospheric magnetic dipole embedded in the radial field of the quiet corona. The initial parameters of the wave are specified at a spherical surface in the depths of the active region. The wave propagates asymmetrically and is reflected from regions of the strong magnetic field, which results in the radiation of the wave energy predominantly upwards. Substantial gradients in the Alfvén speed facilitate appreciable growth in the wave intensity. Non-linear damping of the wave and divergence of the wave front lead to the opposite effect. Analysis of the joint action of these factors shows that a fast magnetoacoustic perturbation outgoing from an active region can correspond to a shock wave of moderate intensity. This supports the scenario in which the primary source of the coronal wave is an eruptive filament that impulsively expands in the magnetosphere of an active region.     

The nonthermal radio emission of WR 140 in a model with colliding two-phase winds

We present a model in which the nonthermal radio emission of binary systems containing Wolf-Rayet and O components is due to collisions between clouds belonging to dense phases of the wind of each star. The relativistic electrons are generated during the propagation of fast shock waves through the clouds and their subsequent de-excitation. The initial injection of superthermal particles is due to photoionization of the de-excited cold gas by hard radiation from the shock front. Therefore, the injection takes place in cloud regions fairly far from the front. Further, the superthermal electrons are accelerated by the betatron mechanism to relativistic energies during the isobaric compression of the cloud material, when most of the gas radiates its energy. Collisions between the clouds can occur far beyond the contact boundary between the rarefied wind components. Thus, the model avoids the problem of strong low-frequency absorption of the radiation.     

The radio emission of anomalous pulsars

Previously developed methods for estimating the angle β between the spin axis of a neutron star and its magnetic moment together with observational data for anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs) indicate that these objects are nearly aligned rotators, and that the drift model can be applied to them. The magnetospheres of aligned rotators are appreciably more extended than in pulsars with large values of β. With such extents for the magnetosphere, the conditions for the generation of transverse waves via the cyclotron instability are satisfied. The expected spectrum of the resulting radiation is very steep (its spectral index is α > 3), consistent with the observed radio spectra of known AXPs (α > 2). A large magnetosphere also favors the appearance of appreciable pitch angles for relativistic electrons, and therefore the generation of synchrotron emission. The maximum of this emission falls in the microwave range. This mechanism provides appreciable fluxes at frequencies of tens of gigahertz and can explain the observed enhanced AXP radiation in this range.     

Acceleration of close binaries in supernova explosions

We investigate the orientation of the orbital planes of X-ray binary systems relative to the direction of the additional velocity acquired by the binary in a supernova explosion or as a result of radiative acceleration. In the second case, the acceleration occurs due to X-ray radiation during a stage of intense accretion onto the neutron star, which has an asymmetric magnetic field. Observational consequences that could enable estimation of the role of each acceleration mechanism are discussed. The results are also applicable to binary millisecond radio pulsars, assuming that they have gone through an accretion stage.     

VLBI of supernovae and gamma-ray bursts

Supernovae and gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are among the brightest events in the universe. Excluding Type Ia supernovae and short GRBs, they are the result of the core collapse of a massive star with material being ejectedwith speeds of several 1000 km/s to nearly the speed of light, and with a neutron star or a black hole left over as the compact remnant of the explosion. Synchrotron radiation in the radio is generated in a shell when the ejecta interact with the surrounding medium and possibly also in the central region near the compact remnant itself. VLBI has allowed resolving some of these sources and monitoring their expansion in detail, thereby revealing characteristics of the dying star, the explosion, the expanding shock front, and the expected compact remnant. We report on updates of some of the most interesting results that have been obtained with VLBI so far. Movies of supernovae are available from our website. They show the evolution from shortly after the explosion to decades thereafter, in one case revealing an emerging compact central source, which may be associated with shock interaction near the explosion center or with the stellar corpse itself, a neutron star or a black hole.     

The magnetic fields and angular sizes of radio sources displaying synchrotron self-absorption

A method for estimating the magnetic-field strengths and angular sizes of radio sources displaying synchrotron self-absorption based on their observed radio spectra is considered. The method is used to derive the angular sizes of compact radio sources (components) and the magnetic fields in these regions, as well as the energy and number of relativistic electrons and the radiative power of a number of quasars and radio galaxies.     

The appearance of a radio-pulsar magnetosphere from a vacuum with a strong magnetic field. Motion of charged particles

The motion of electrons and positrons in the vacuum magnetosphere of a neutron star with a surface magnetic field of B ≈ 10¹² G is considered. Particles created in the magnetosphere or falling into it from outside are virtually instantaneously accelerated to Lorentz factors γ ≈ 10⁸. After crossing the force-free surface, where the projection of the electric field onto the magnetic field vanishes, a particle begins to undergo ultra-relativistic oscillations. The particle experiences a regular drift along the force-free surface simultaneous with this oscillatory motion.     

Accretion of neutral hydrogen and helium onto a neutron star. The X-ray and gamma-ray radiation of cool neutron stars

The accretion of neutral gas (hydrogen and helium) onto a neutron star is studied. The gas is gravitationally captured into the magnetosphere of the star, where it is ionized by thermal radiation from the stellar surface and accelerated by the electric field at the light cylinder and in a tube of open magnetic lines. Particles accelerated at light cylinder generate gamma-ray, some particles move to the star and heat its polar regions, resulting in the emission of X-rays. Our calculations of the model parameters of the X-ray and gamma-ray radiation indicate that the radiation intensities should be sufficient to be observed.     

Recent advances in solar radio physics

We review high spatial resolution microwave observations of solar active regions, coronal loops and flares. Observations of preflare active regions are presented; in particular we discuss the interpretations of reversal of polarization at the flare site and the role of newly emerging flux in triggering the onset of flares. We discuss the spatial locations of microwave burst emitting regions; loops or arcades of loops appear to be the sites of flare energy release in microwave bursts. We provide direct observational evidence of magnetic reconnection as the primary cause of acceleration of electrons in microwave bursts.