Magnetic fields in beta Cep, SPB, and Be stars

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent observational and theoretical advances in understanding magnetic fields in various types of B-type main-sequence stars, highlighting their diversity and significance.

Contribution

It provides the first systematic study of magnetic fields across different B-type star groups, offering new insights into their magnetic properties and roles.

Findings

Magnetic fields vary from below detection limits to tens of kG.

Different B-star groups exhibit distinct magnetic field geometries.

Systematic studies have advanced understanding of magnetic influence on stellar structure.

Abstract

Recent observational and theoretical results emphasize the potential significance of magnetic fields for structure, evolution, and environment of massive stars. Depending on their spectral and photometric behavior, the upper main-sequence B-type stars are assigned to different groups, such as beta Cep stars and slowly pulsating B (SPB) stars, He-rich and He-deficient Bp stars, Be stars, BpSi stars, HgMn stars, or normal B-type stars. All these groups are characterized by different magnetic field geometry and strength, from fields below the detection limit of a few Gauss up to tens of kG. Our collaboration was the first to systematically study the magnetic fields in representative samples of different types of main-sequence B stars. In this article, we give an overview about what we have learned during the last years about magnetic fields in beta Cep, SPB, and Be stars.