Magnetic fields along the pre-main-sequence phase

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent research on magnetic fields in intermediate-mass pre-main sequence stars, aiming to understand their origins and test the fossil field theory.

Contribution

It synthesizes a decade of observational and theoretical work to explore the origin of magnetic fields in chemically peculiar Ap/Bp stars.

Findings

Magnetic fields are prevalent in intermediate-mass pre-main sequence stars.

Evidence supports the fossil field theory as a plausible origin.

Understanding magnetic field evolution informs stellar formation models.

Abstract

In this contribution I review some of the major work that have been undertaken in the last decade to study the magnetic fields in intermediate-mass pre-main sequence stars, with the goal of understanding the origin of the magnetic fields detected in the chemically peculiar Ap/Bp stars, and testing the fossil field theory.