Ambipolar diffusion velocity and magnetic field evolution in magnetar core: Generalised theoretical approach

TL;DR

This paper presents a generalized theoretical framework for calculating ambipolar diffusion velocities in magnetar cores, crucial for understanding magnetic field decay and magnetar activity.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive method to solve particle dynamics in magnetar interiors using magnetohydrodynamic equations applicable to various conditions.

Findings

Derived a general equation for ambipolar velocity considering different matter states.

Applicable to a wide range of temperature and matter conditions.

Provides a foundation for modeling magnetic field evolution in neutron stars.

Abstract

The magnetic field associated with neutron stars is generally believed to be threaded inside the star. In the presence of a magnetic field, the plasma present in the interior of the star goes through several processes that lead to magnetic field evolution. It is thought that magnetar activities are mainly due to field decay. The most important process of field decay inside the core of the star is the ambipolar diffusion of the charged particles present in the interior plasma. The decay rate due to ambipolar diffusion is directly connected to the ambipolar velocity of the charged particles under the influence of the present magnetic field. The ambipolar velocity of the charged particles depends on the internal dynamics of the particles. We outline a general method to solve the particle dynamics in the presence of a magnetic field using a magnetohydrodynamic equation for ambipolar velocity. The equation is general and applies to all possible surrounding conditions \eg temperature, and matter states like normal or superfluid.