Magnetic Fields in Primordial Galaxies

TL;DR

This study uses high-resolution MHD simulations to explore how magnetic fields evolve and influence primordial galaxy formation, finding they are initially weak but can be amplified, with micro-physics potentially affecting their impact.

Contribution

It provides new insights into magnetic field amplification and their limited role in early galaxy dynamics through detailed simulations including micro-physics effects.

Findings

Magnetic fields can be amplified from 1e-13 G to microgauss levels during galaxy formation.

In primordial galaxies at z>8, magnetic fields have minimal impact on gas dynamics and star formation.

Micro-physics like metal diffusion can influence magnetic field strength and star formation rates.

Abstract

Magnetic fields play a vital role in numerous astrophysical processes such as star formation and the interstellar medium. In particular, their role in the formation and evolution of galaxies is not well understood. This paper presents high-resolution magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations performed with GIZMO to investigate the effect of magnetic fields on primordial galaxy formation. Physical processes such as relevant gas physics (e.g., gas cooling and gas chemistry), star formation, stellar and supernova feedback, and chemical enrichment were considered in the simulations. The simulation results suggest that cosmic magnetic fields can be amplified from 1e-13 G to a few microgauss during cosmic structure evolution and galaxy formation. In the ideal MHD setting, in primordial galaxies at z>8, the magnetic energy is less than the thermal and kinetic energy, and therefore, magnetic fields hardly affect the gas dynamics and star formation in these galaxies. Specifically, the consideration of micro-physics properties such as metal diffusion, heat conduction, and viscosity in the MHD simulations, could increase the magnetic field strength. Notably, metal diffusion reduced gas cooling by decreasing the metallicity and thereby suppresses star formation in the primordial galaxies. As a result, the cosmic re-ionization driven by these primordial galaxies may be delayed.