Structure, Deformations and Gravitational Wave Emission of Magnetars

TL;DR

This paper explores how the intense magnetic fields of magnetars influence their structure and deformation, assessing their potential as sources of detectable gravitational waves.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of magnetar magnetic field configurations and their impact on stellar deformation and gravitational wave emission.

Findings

Magnetar magnetic fields can cause significant stellar deformation.

Deformations may produce gravitational waves detectable by current or future observatories.

Magnetic field structure influences the amplitude and frequency of emitted gravitational waves.

Abstract

Neutron stars can have, in some phases of their life, extremely strong magnetic fields, up to 10^15-10^16 G. These objects, named magnetars, could be powerful sources of gravitational waves, since their magnetic field could determine large deformations. We discuss the structure of the magnetic field of magnetars, and the deformation induced by this field. Finally, we discuss the perspective of detection of the gravitational waves emitted by these stars.