The MiMeS survey of magnetism in massive stars: Magnetic analysis of the O-type stars

TL;DR

This study analyzes spectropolarimetric data from 97 O-type stars in the MiMeS survey, confirming magnetic fields in several targets and estimating a 7% magnetic incidence rate among massive stars, with no clear link to physical properties.

Contribution

It introduces a modified Least-Squares Deconvolution strategy to improve magnetic detection and provides the first magnetic incidence rate estimate for a large sample of O-type stars.

Findings

Confirmed magnetic fields in 6 previously known magnetic O stars.

Detected magnetic signatures in 3 new candidate O stars.

Estimated a 7% magnetic incidence rate among 108 O stars.

Abstract

We present the analysis performed on spectropolarimetric data of 97 O-type targets included in the framework of the MiMeS (Magnetism in Massive Stars) Survey. Mean Least-Squares Deconvolved Stokes I and V line profiles were extracted for each observation, from which we measured the radial velocity, rotational and non-rotational broadening velocities, and longitudinal magnetic field. The investigation of the Stokes I profiles led to the discovery of 2 new multi-line spectroscopic systems (HD46106, HD204827) and confirmed the presence of a suspected companion in HD37041. We present a modified strategy of the Least-Squares Deconvolution technique aimed at optimising the detection of magnetic signatures while minimising the detection of spurious signatures in Stokes V. Using this analysis, we confirm the detection of a magnetic field in 6 targets previously reported as magnetic by the MiMeS collaboration (HD108, HD47129A2, HD57682, HD148937, CPD-28 2561, and NGC 1624-2), as well as report the presence of signal in Stokes V in 3 new magnetic candidates (HD36486, HD162978, HD199579). Overall, we find a magnetic incidence rate of 7+/-3%, for 108 individual O stars (including all O-type components part of multi-line systems), with a median uncertainty of the longitudinal field measurements of about 50\,G. An inspection of the data reveals no obvious biases affecting the incidence rate or the preference for detecting magnetic signatures in the magnetic stars. Similar to A- and B-type stars, we find no link between the stars' physical properties (e.g. Teff, mass, age) and the presence of a magnetic field. However, the Of?p stars represent a distinct class of magnetic O-type stars.