arXiv subjects

Maxim Lyutikov

Publications and source records attributed to Maxim Lyutikov.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

arXiv2007

Dissipation in intercluster plasma

We discuss dissipative processes in strongly gyrotropic, nearly collisionless plasma in clusters of galaxies (ICM). First, we point out that Braginsky theory, which assumes that collisions are more frequent that the system's dynamical time scale, is inapplicable to fast, sub-viscous ICM motion. Most importantly, the electron contribution to collisional magneto-viscosity dominates over that of ions for short-scale Alfvenic motions. Thus, if a turbulent cascade develops in the ICM and propagates down to scales $\leq 1$ kpc, it is damped collisionally not on ions, but on electrons. Second, in high beta plasma of ICM, small variations of the magnetic field strength, of relative value $\sim 1/β$, lead to development of anisotropic pressure instabilities (firehose, mirror and cyclotron). Unstable wave modes may provide additional resonant scattering of particles, effectively keeping the plasma in a state of marginal stability. We show that in this case the dissipation rate of a laminar, subsonic, incompressible flows scales as inverse of plasma beta parameter. We discuss application to the problem of ICM heating.

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arXiv2007

Neutron star magnetospheres: the binary pulsar, Crab and magnetars

A number of disparate observational and theoretical pieces of evidence indicate that, contrary to the conventional wisdom, neutron stars' closed field lines are populated by dense, hot plasma and may be responsible for producing some radio and high energy emission. This conclusion is based on eclipse modeling of the binary pulsar system PSR J0737-3039A/B (Lyutikov & Thompson 2005), a quantitative theory of Crab giant pulses (Lyutikov 2007) and a number of theoretical works related to production of non-thermal spectra in magnetars through resonant scattering. In magnetars, dense pair plasma is produced by twisting magnetic field lines and associated electric fields required to lift the particles from the surface. In long period pulsars, hot particles on closed field lines can be efficiently trapped by magnetic mirroring, so that relatively low supply rate, e.g. due to a drift from open field lines, may result in high density. In short period pulsars, magnetic mirroring does not work; large densities may still be expected at the magnetic equator near the Y-point.

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arXiv2007

On generation of Crab giant pulses

We propose that Crab giant pulses are generated on closed magnetic field lines near the light cylinder via anomalous cyclotron resonance on the ordinary mode. Waves are generated in a set of fine, unequally spaced, narrow emission bands at frequencies much lower than a local cyclotron frequency. Location of emission bands is fitted to spectral structures seen by Eilek et al. (2006). To reproduce the data, the required density of plasma in the giant pulses emission region is much higher, by a factor $\sim 3 \times 10^5$, than the minimal Goldreich-Julian density. Emission is generated by a population of highly energetic particles with radiation-limited Lorentz factors $γ\sim 7 \times 10^7$, produced during occasional reconnection close to the Y point, where the last closed field lines approach the light cylinder.

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arXiv2007

Ultra High Energy Cosmic ray and gamma-ray signatures of inductive acceleration in AGN jets

The highest energy cosmic rays could be produced by drifts in magnetized, cylindrically collimated, sheared jets of powerful active galaxies (i.e. FR II radiogalaxies; radio loud quasars and high power BL Lacs). We show that in such scenarios proton synchrotron radiation can give rise to detectable photon fluxes at energies ranging from hundreds of keV to tens of MeV.

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arXiv2007

Dissipation of magnetic fields in neutron star crusts due to development of a tearing mode

Dissipation of magnetic fields in Hall plasma of neutron star crusts may power persistent high energy emission of a class of strongly magnetized neutrons stars, magnetars. We consider development of a dissipative tearing mode in Hall plasma (electron MHD) and find that its growth rate increases with the wave number of perturbations, reaching a maximum value intermediate between resistive $τ_r$ and Hall times $τ_H$, $Γ\sim 1 / \sqrt{τ_r τ_H}$. We argue that the tearing mode may be the principal mechanism by which strong magnetic fields are dissipated in magnetars on times scale of $\sim 10^4-10^5$ yrs powering the persistent X-ray emisison.

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arXiv2007

Inductive acceleration of UHECRs in sheared relativistic jets

(Abridged)Relativistic outflows carrying large scale magnetic fields have large inductive potential and may accelerate protons to ultra high energies. We discuss a novel scheme of Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Ray (UHECR) acceleration due to drifts in magnetized, cylindrically collimated, sheared jets of powerful active galaxies (with jet luminosity $\geq 10^{46}$ erg s$^{-1}$). We point out that a positively charged particle carried by such a plasma is in an unstable equilibrium if ${\bf B} \cdot \nabla \times {\bf v}< 0$, so that kinetic drift along the velocity shear would lead to fast, {\it regular} energy gain. We show that if a seed of pre-accelerated particles with energy below the ankle $\leq 10^{18}$ eV is present, these particles can be boosted to energies above $ 10^{19}$ eV. A key feature of the mechanism is that the highest rigidity particles are accelerated most efficiently implying the dominance of light nuclei for energies above the ankle in our model: from a mixed population of pre-accelerated particle the drift mechanism picks up and boosts protons preferably. In addition, after a particle traversed large fraction of the available potential, its Larmor radius becomes of the order of the jet thickness. In this case, {\it the maximum possible acceleration rate of inverse relativistic gyro-frequency is achieved} and a particle finally become unconfined and leave the jet.

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arXiv2006

Inferring the Magnetic Fields of Magnetars from their X-ray Spectra

We present the first self-consistent theoretical models of magnetar spectra that take into account the combined effects of the stellar atmosphere and its magnetosphere. We find that the proton cyclotron lines that are already weakened by atmospheric effects become indistinguishable from the continuum for moderate scattering optical depths in the magnetosphere. Furthermore, the hard excess becomes more pronounced due to resonant scattering and the resulting spectra closely resemble the observed magnetar spectra. We argue that while the absence of proton cyclotron lines in the observed spectra are inconclusive about the surface field strengths of magnetars, the continuum carries nearly unique signatures of the field strength and can thus be used to infer this quantity. We fit our theoretical spectra with a phenomenological two-blackbody model and compare our findings to source spectra with existing two-blackbody fits. The field strengths that we infer spectroscopically are in remarkable agreement with the values inferred from the period derivative of the sources assuming a dipole spindown. These detailed predictions of line energies and equivalent widths may provide an optimal opportunity for measuring directly the surface field strengths of magnetars with future X-ray telescopes such as {\em Constellation}-X.

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arXiv2006

Magnetic draping of merging cores and radio bubbles in clusters of galaxies

Sharp fronts observed by Chandra satellite between dense cool cluster cores moving with near-sonic velocity through the hotter intergalactic gas, require strong suppression of thermal conductivity across the boundary. This may be due to magnetic fields tangential to the contact surface separating two plasma components. We point out that a super-Alfvenic motion of a plasma cloud (a core of a merging galaxy) through a weakly magnetized intercluster medium leads to "magnetic draping", formation of a thin, strongly magnetized boundary layer with a tangential magnetic field. For supersonic cloud motion, M_s > 1, magnetic field inside the layer reaches near-equipartition values with thermal pressure. Typical thickness of the layer is L /M_A^2 << L, where L is the size of the obstacle (plasma cloud) moving with Alfven Mach number M_A >> 1. To a various degree, magnetic draping occurs both for sub- and supersonic flows, random and ordered magnetic fields and it does not require plasma compressibility. The strongly magnetized layer will thermally isolate the two media and may contribute to the Kelvin-Helmholtz stability of the interface. Similar effects occur for radio bubbles, quasi-spherical expanding cavities blown up by AGN jets; in this case the thickness of the external magnetized layer is smaller, L /M_A^3 << L.

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arXiv2006

Resonant Cyclotron Scattering and Comptonization in Neutron Star Magnetospheres

Resonant cyclotron scattering of the surface radiation in the magnetospheres of neutron stars may considerably modify the emergent spectra and impede efforts to constraint neutron star properties. Resonant cyclotron scattering by a non-relativistic warm plasma in an inhomogeneous magnetic field has a number of unusual characteristics: (i) in the limit of high resonant optical depth, the cyclotron resonant layer is half opaque, in sharp contrast to the case of non-resonant scattering. (ii) The transmitted flux is on average Compton up-scattered by ~ $1+ 2 beta_T$, where $β_T$ is the typical thermal velocity in units of the velocity of light; the reflected flux has on average the initial frequency. (iii) For both the transmitted and reflected fluxes the dispersion of intensity decreases with increasing optical depth. (iv) The emergent spectrum is appreciably non-Plankian while narrow spectral features produced at the surface may be erased. We derive semi-analytically modification of the surface Plankian emission due to multiple scattering between the resonant layers and apply the model to anomalous X-ray pulsar 1E 1048.1--5937. Our simple model fits just as well as the ``canonical'' magnetar spectra model of a blackbody plus power-law.

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arXiv2006

Did Swift measure GRB prompt emission radii?

The Swift X-Ray Telescope often observes a rapidly decaying X-ray emission stretching to as long as $ t \sim 10^3$ seconds after a conventional prompt phase. This component is most likely due to a prompt emission viewed at large observer angles $θ> 1/Γ$, where $θ\sim 0.1$ is a typical viewing angle of the jet and$Γ\geq 100$ is the Lorentz factor of the flow during the prompt phase. This can be used to estimate the prompt emission radii, $r_{em} \geq 2 t c/θ^2 \sim 6 \times 10^{15}$ cm. These radii are much larger than is assumed within a framework of a fireball model. Such large emission radii can be reconciled with a fast variability, on time scales as short as milliseconds, if the emission is beamed in the bulk outflow frame, e.g. due to a random relativistic motion of ''fundamental emitters''. This may also offer a possible explanation for X-ray flares observed during early afterglows.

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arXiv2005

The electromagnetic model of Gamma Ray Bursts

I describe electromagnetic model of gamma ray bursts and contrast its main properties and predictions with hydrodynamic fireball model and its magnetohydrodynamical extension. The electromagnetic model assumes that rotational energy of a relativistic, stellar-mass central source (black-hole--accretion disk system or fast rotating neutron star) is converted into magnetic energy through unipolar dynamo mechanism, propagated to large distances in a form of relativistic, subsonic, Poynting flux-dominated wind and is dissipated directly into emitting particles through current-driven instabilities. Thus, there is no conversion back and forth between internal and bulk energies as in the case of fireball model. Collimating effects of magnetic hoop stresses lead to strongly non-spherical expansion and formation of jets. Long and short GRBs may develop in a qualitatively similar way, except that in case of long bursts ejecta expansion has a relatively short, non-relativistic, strongly dissipative stage inside the star. Electromagnetic and fireball models (as well as strongly and weakly magnetized fireballs) lead to different early afterglow dynamics, before deceleration time. Finally, I discuss the models in view of latest observational data in the Swift era.

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arXiv2005

Magnetar giant flares and afterglows as relativistic magnetized explosions

(Abridged) We propose that giant flares on Soft Gamma-Ray Repeaters produce relativistic, strongly magnetized, weakly baryon loaded magnetic clouds, somewhat analogous to solar coronal mass ejection (CME) events. Flares are driven by unwinding of internal non-potential magnetic fields which leads to slow build-up of magnetic energy outside of the neutron star. For large magnetospheric currents, corresponding to a large twist of external magnetic field, magnetosphere becomes dynamically unstable on \Alfven crossing times scale of inner magnetosphere, $t_A \sim R_{NS}/c \sim 30 μ$sec. Released magnetic energy results in formation of a strongly magnetized, pair-loaded, quasi-spherically expanding flux rope, topologically connected by magnetic field to the neutron star during the prompt flare emission. Magnetic stresses of the tied flux rope lead to late collimation of the expansion, on time scales longer than giant flare duration. Relativistic bulk motion of the expanding magnetic cloud, directed at an angle $θ\sim 135^\circ$ to the line of sight (away from the observer), results in a strongly non-spherical forward shock with observed non-relativistic apparent expansion and bulk motion velocities $β_{app} \sim \cot θ/2 \sim 0.4 $ at times of first radio observations approximately one week after the burst. Interaction with a shell of wind-shocked ISM and then with the unshocked ISM leads to deceleration to non-relativistic velocities approximately one month after the flare.

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arXiv2005

Eclipses and orbital modulations in binary pulsar PSR J0737-3039

Binary radio pulsar system J0737-3039 provides an exceptional opportunity to study innermost structure of pulsar magnetospheres due to very tight orbit, favorable directions of pulsars' rotation and magnetic axes and extremely fortuitous orientation of the orbit. In this system the millisecond pulsar A is eclipsed once per orbit. During eclipse a clear modulation at the 2.77 s period of pulsar B is seen, pointing unambiguously to magnetospheric origin of eclipses. A simple geometric model, based on the idea that the radio pulses are attenuated by synchrotron absorption on the closed magnetic field lines of pulsar B, can successfully reproduces the eclipse light curves down to intricate details. This detailed agreement confirms the dipolar structure of the neutron star's magnetic field. The model gives clear predictions for temporal evolution of eclipse profile due to geodetic precession of pulsar B. In addition, pulsar B shows orbital modulations of intensity, being especially bright at two short orbital phases. We showed that these modulations are due to distortion of pulsar B magnetosphere by pulsar A wind which produces orbital phase-dependent changes of the direction along which radio waves are emitted. Thus, pulsar B is intrinsically bright at all times but its radiation beam misses the Earth at most orbital phases.

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arXiv2005

Comment on "Gamma-ray burst early afterglows: reverse shock emission from an arbitrarily magnetized ejecta" by Zhang and Kobayashi (2004)

Zhang and Kobayashi (2004) attempted to calculate early afterglow emission from a system of forward and reverse shocks in GRB outflows for the case of magnetized ejecta. We point out a fundamental error in the underlying dynamical model. According to the authors, energy and momentum carried by the magnetic field of the ejecta are not transfered to the forward shock. This is an incorrect assumption that invalidates the results.

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arXiv2005

Orbital modulation of emission of the binary pulsar J0737-3039B

In binary radio pulsar system J0737-3039, slow pulsar B shows orbital modulations of intensity, being especially bright at two short orbital phases. We propose that these modulations are due to distortion of pulsar B magnetosphere by pulsar A wind which produces orbital phase-dependent changes of the direction along which radio waves are emitted. In our model, pulsar B is intrinsically bright at all times but its radiation beam misses the Earth at most orbital phases. We employ a simple model of distorted B magnetosphere using stretching transformations of Euler potentials of dipolar fields. To fit observations we use parameters of pulsar B derived from modeling of A eclipses (Lyutikov and Thompson 2005). The model reproduces two bright regions approximately at the observed orbital phases, explains variations of the pulse shape between them and regular timing residuals within each emission window. It also makes predictions for timing properties and secular variations of pulsar B profiles.

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arXiv2005

Magnetospheric Eclipses in the Binary Pulsar J0737-3039

(Abridged) In the binary radio pulsar system J0737-3039, the faster pulsar A is eclipsed once per orbit. We construct a simple geometric model which successfully reproduces the eclipse light curves, based on the idea that the radio pulses are attenuated by synchrotron absorption on the closed magnetic field lines of pulsar B. The model explains most of the properties of the eclipse: its asymmetric form, the nearly frequency-independent duration, and the modulation of the brightness of pulsar A at both once and twice the rotation frequency of pulsar B in different parts of the eclipse. This detailed agreement confirms the dipolar structure of the star's poloidal magnetic field. The model makes clear predictions for the degree of linear polarization of the transmitted radiation. The weak frequency dependence of the eclipse duration implies that the absorbing plasma is relativistic, with a density much larger than the corotation charge density. Such hot, dense plasma can be effectively stored in the outer magnetosphere, where cyclotron cooling is slow. The gradual loss of particles inward through the cooling radius is compensated by an upward flux driven by a fluctuating component of the current, and by the pumping of magnetic helicity on the closed field lines. The trapped particles are heated to relativistic energies by the damping of magnetospheric turbulence and, at a slower rate, by the absorption of the radio emission of the companion pulsar.

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arXiv2004

Magnetic fields in GRBs

We discuss the dynamical role of magnetic fields in GRB explosions in the framework of the fireball and electromagnetic models. We contrast the observational predictions of the two models and argue that only the very early afterglow observations, almost coincident with the prompt phase, can be used as decisive tests of the ejecta content.

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arXiv2004

Polarization and energy content of parsec scale AGN jets

Most of energy carried by relativistic AGN jets remains undetected until hundreds of kiloparsecs where interaction with intergalactic medium produces hot spots. The jet's hidden energy is only partially dissipated at smaller scales, from parsecs to kiloparsecs. Several media may play the role of the ``prime mover'': ions, pairs or large scale magnetic fields. Analyzing VLBI polarization structures of relativistic parsec scale jets we conclude that large-scale magnetic fields can explain the salient polarization properties of parsec-scale AGN jets. This implies that large-scale magnetic fields carry a non-negligible fraction of jet luminosity. We also discuss the possibility that relativistic AGN jets may be electromagnetically (Poynting flux) dominated. In this case, dissipation of the toroidal magnetic field (and not fluid shocks) may be responsible for particle acceleration.

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