Magnetohydrodynamic simulations of self-consistent rotating neutron stars with mixed poloidal and toroidal magnetic fields

Antonios Tsokaros, Milton Ruiz, Stuart L. Shapiro, and K{\=o}ji Ury{\=u}

Date: 29 Oct 2021    arXiv:2111.00013

Abstract

We perform the first magnetohydrodynamic simulations in full general relativity of self-consistent rotating neutron stars (NSs) with ultrastrong mixed poloidal and toroidal magnetic fields. The initial uniformly rotating NS models are computed assuming perfect conductivity, stationarity, and axisymmetry. Although the specific geometry of the mixed field configuration can delay or accelerate the development of various instabilities known from analytic perturbative studies, all our models finally succumb to them. Differential rotation is developed spontaneously in the cores of our magnetars which, after sufficient time, is converted back to uniform rotation. The rapidly rotating magnetars show a significant amount of ejecta, which can be responsible for transient kilonova signatures. However, no highly collimated, helical magnetic fields or incipient jets, which are necessary for $\GG$-ray bursts, arise at the poles of these magnetars by the time our simulations are terminated.

Movies
Jinghan Huang, Mit Kotak, Milton Ruiz, Stuart L. Shapiro, Antonios Tsokaros, Eric Yu, and Jing Zhou



Case A: Rapidly rotating magnetized NS (Side View)



Case A: Rapidly rotating magnetized NS (Top View)



Case B: Moderately rotating magnetized NS (Side View)



Case B: Moderately rotating magnetized NS (Top View)