Origin of $10^{15}-10^{16}$G Magnetic Fields in the Central Engine of Gamma Ray Bursts

TL;DR

This paper proposes that non-minimal gravitational-electromagnetic coupling (NMGEC) within a tetrad theory of gravitation can explain the origin of extremely strong magnetic fields in gamma-ray burst central engines, applicable to both neutron stars and black holes.

Contribution

It introduces NMGEC-MW as a mechanism to generate ultra-strong magnetic fields in GRB central engines, addressing a key challenge in astrophysics.

Findings

NMGEC-MW can produce $10^{15}-10^{16}$ G magnetic fields in neutron stars.

The same mechanism explains strong fields in black hole central engines.

Provides a unified explanation for magnetic field origins in GRBs.

Abstract

Various authors have suggested that the gamma-ray burst (GRB) central engine is a rapidly rotating, strongly magnetized, $(\sim 10^{15}-10^{16}$ G) compact object. The strong magnetic field can accelerate and collimate the relativistic flow and the rotation of the compact object can be the energy source of the GRB. The major problem in this scenario is the difficulty of finding an astrophysical mechanism for obtaining such intense fields. Whereas, in principle, a neutron star could maintain such strong fields, it is difficult to justify a scenario for their creation. If the compact object is a black hole, the problem is more difficult since, according to general relativity it has "no hair" (i.e., no magnetic field). Schuster, Blackett, Pauli, and others have suggested that a rotating neutral body can create a magnetic field by non-minimal gravitational-electromagnetic coupling (NMGEC). The Schuster-Blackett form of NMGEC was obtained from the Mikhail and Wanas's tetrad theory of gravitation (MW). We call the general theory NMGEC-MW. We investigate here the possible origin of the intense magnetic fields $\sim 10^{15}-10^{16}$ G in GRBs by NMGEC-MW. Whereas these fields are difficult to explain astrophysically, we find that they are easily explained by NMGEC-MW. It not only explains the origin of the $\sim 10^{15}-10^{16}$G fields when the compact object is a neutron star, but also when it is a black hole.