Can the turbulent galactic dynamo generate large-scale magnetic fields?

Large-scale magnetic fields in galaxies are thought to be generated by a turbulent dynamo. However, the same turbulence also leads to a small-scale dynamo which generates magnetic noise at a more rapid rate. The efficiency of the large-scale dynamo depends on how this noise saturates. We examine this issue, taking into account ambipolar drift, which obtains in a galaxy with significant neutral gas. We argue as follows.
(i) The small-scale dynamo generated field does not fill the volume, but is concentrated into intermittent rope-like structures. The flux ropes are curved on the turbulent eddy scales. Their thickness is set by the diffusive scale determined by the effective ambipolar diffusion.
(ii) For a largely neutral galactic gas, the small-scale dynamo saturates, as a result of inefficient random stretching, when the peak field in a flux rope has grown to a few times the equipartition value.
(iii) The average energy density in the saturated small-scale field is subequipartition, since it does not fill the volume.
(iv) Such fields neither drain significant energy from the turbulence nor convert eddy motion of the turbulence on the outer scale into wave-like motion. The diffusive effects needed for the large-scale dynamo operation are then preserved until the large-scale field itself grows to near equipartition levels.     

Determination of constant α force-free solar magnetic fields from magnetograph data

At first it is shown that a magnetic field being force-free, i.e. satisfying × B = B, with = constant ( 0) in the whole exterior of the Sun cannot have a finite energy content and cannot be determined uniquely from only one magnetic field component given at the photosphere. Then the boundary value problem for a semi-infinite column of arbitrary cross section is solved by a Green's function method.     

What can we hope to know about the symmetry properties of stellar magnetic fields?

We summarize evidence that neither dynamo theory nor the observational data give strong support to the idea that stellar magnetic fields must have dipolar rather than quadrupolar symmetry with respect to the stellar equator. We demonstrate that even the most basic model for magnetic stellar activity, i.e. the Parker migratory dynamo, provides many possibilities for the excitation of large-scale stellar magnetic fields of non-dipolar symmetry. We demonstrate the spontaneous transition of the dynamo-excited magnetic field from one symmetry type to another. We explore observational tests to distinguish between the two types of magnetic field symmetry, and thus detect the presence of quadrupolar magnetic symmetry in stars. Complete absence of quadrupolar symmetry would present a distinct challenge for contemporary stellar dynamo theory. We revisit some observations which, depending on further clarification, may already be revealing some properties of the quadrupolar component of the magnetic fields generated by stellar dynamos.     

Are the magnetic fields of millisecond pulsars ∼108 G?

It is generally assumed that the magnetic fields of millisecond pulsars (MSPs) are ～10⁸ G. We argue that this may not be true and the fields may be appreciably greater. We present six evidences for this: (1) The ～10⁸G field estimate is based on magnetic dipole emission losses which is shown to be questionable; (2) The MSPs in low mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) are claimed to have <10¹¹ G on the basis of a Rayleygh-Taylor instability accretion argument. We show that the accretion argument is questionable and the upper limit 10¹¹ G may be much higher; (3) Low magnetic field neutron stars have difficulty being produced in LMXBs; (4) MSPs may still be accreting indicating a much higher magnetic field; (5) The data that predict ～10⁸ G for MSPs also predict ages on the order of, and greater than, ten billion years, which is much greater than normal pulsars. If the predicted ages are wrong, most likely the predicted ～10⁸ G fields of MSPs are wrong; (6) When magnetic fields are measured directly with cyclotron lines in X-ray binaries, fields ?10⁸ G are indicated. Other scenarios should be investigated. One such scenario is the following. Over 85% of MSPs are confirmed members of a binary. It is possible that all MSPs are in large separation binaries having magnetic fields >10⁸ G with their magnetic dipole emission being balanced by low level accretion from their companions.     

How deep can one see into the Sun?

Conventional wisdom dictates that the 1.642 m H^– opacity minimum is the best window to the depths of the solar photosphere. However, the violet continuum near 0.4 m exhibits a larger intensity response to small thermal perturbations at depth, and thus might offer an even better view of the subsurface roots of granulation cells and magnetic flux tubes.     

Does the large-scale solar magnetic field distribution really reflect the convective velocity fields?

We have tried to decide whether the typical circular cellular-like features, which are striking during some intervals in the large-scale distribution of weak magnetic fields measured with low resolution, are related to large-scale convective motions. Two scales of such patterns were found and their morphological, kinematical and evolutionary behaviour was estimated. Their slower and overall rotation is also demonstrated in comparison with the rotation of highly averaged sunspot and magnetic fields. It is difficult to explain all the observed characteristics as random, or due to the method of field measurement and map construction used. We also discuss the change of their magnetic field polarities with the solar polar field reversal.     

Measurements of mean longitudinal magnetic fields in the Of?p stars HD 108 and HD 191612

Using polarimetric spectra obtained with the SOFIN spectrograph installed at the Nordic Optical Telescope, we detect a longitudinal magnetic field 〈B_z〉 = –168±35 G in the Of?p star HD 108. This result is in agreement with the longitudinal magnetic field measurement of the order of –150 G recently reported by the MiMeS team. The measurement of the longitudinal magnetic field in the Of?p star HD 191612 results in 〈B_z〉 = +450±153 G. The only previously published magnetic field measurement for this star showed a negative longitudinal magnetic field 〈B_z〉 = –220±38 G, indicating a change of polarity over ∼100 days. Further, we report the detection of distinct Zeeman features in the narrow Ca II and Na I doublet lines for both Of?p stars, hinting at the possible presence of material around these stars. The origin of these features is not yet clear and more work is needed to investigate how magnetic fields interact with stellar wind dynamics (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

How can FAST improve study of the pulsar emission mechanism and magnetospheric dynamics?

The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope(FAST) has the potential to discover many new pulsars and new phenomena. In this paper we mainly concentrate on how FAST can impact study of the pulsar emission mechanism and magnetospheric dynamics. Several observational programs heading to this direction are reviewed. To make full use of the superior performance of FAST and maximize the scientific outcome, these programs can be arranged in different phases of FAST according to their demands for observational conditions. We suggest that programs can be performed following the test phase, which are observations of multifrequency mean pulse profiles, anomalous X-ray pulsars(AXPs)/soft gamma-ray repeaters(SGRs), mode changing, drifting subpulse and nulling. The long-term monitoring can be carried out for mode changing, AXPs/SGRs and precessional pulsars. Others programs, including polarization observations of radio and γ-ray pulsars, searching for weak pulse components, and multifrequency observations of subpulse drifting, microstructure and giant pulses, can be conducted in all the normal operating phases(the first and second phases). These programs will push forward the frontier in this field in different respects. The search for sub-millisecond pulsars and follow-up observations of their emission properties are very important projects for FAST, but they may be covered by other papers in this mini-volume; therefore,they are not discussed here.     

How does a strong surrounding magnetic field influence the evolution of a supernova remnant?

We simulate the evolution of supernova remnants(SNRs) in a strong magnetic field. Usually,supernovae explode in a normal interstellar medium with magnetic field of no more than 50 μG, which has been well studied. However, the surrounding magnetic field will be much stronger in some situations, such as in a galactic center. Therefore, we try to explore these situations. The simulations show that a strong magnetic field of 1 mG will align the motion of ejecta in a way similar to a jet. The ejecta propagating perpendicularly to the magnetic field will be reflected and generate a strong reverse shock. When the reverse shock converges in the explosion center, it will more or less flow along the central magnetic field. Finally,most of the ejecta will propagate parallel to the magnetic field.