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arXiv 2407.08810astro-ph.HE
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磁星附近的量子等离子体产生

Quantum Plasma Creation near a Magnetar

Jonathan Zhang, Christopher Thompson

AI总结:

本研究通过蒙特卡洛模拟,揭示磁星静止态硬X射线源于QED效应产生的电子对等离子体,并解释1E 2259+586观测特征,为理解磁星电路提供关键模型。

摘要:

处于静止状态的磁星持续发射硬X射线,其功率远超转动能量的损失。最近人们注意到,这种硬X射线连续谱可能直接标志着在强于施温格场($B_{\rm Q} = 4.4\times 10^{13}$ G)的磁场中量子电动力学(QED)效应的存在。当流入磁层的电流由固体壳层中的狭窄结构驱动时,支撑电流的$e^\pm$对等离子体弛豫到碰撞且跨相对论状态。一对粒子衰变为两个光子产生宽谱的、类似轫致辐射的硬X射线谱,与观测到的相似,并延伸至$0.5-1$ MeV。两个伽马射线转换为一对粒子的过程进一步增强了约$\sim B/B_{\rm Q}$倍。本文给出了偶极磁场中对产生过程的蒙特卡洛计算。发现非局域粒子注入足够强,能够抑制否则会伴随较弱全局扭转的高电压;硬X射线主要在远离磁极处发射。部分对在光学薄的表面层中湮灭。典型反常X射线脉冲星1E 2259$+$586,表现出硬X射线连续谱但相对较弱的扭矩噪声、缓慢的自转减慢且无射电辐射,是理解磁星电路的罗塞塔石碑,与本文提出的图像一致。对于低至$10^{34}$ erg s$^{-1}$的$15-60$ keV光度,亚相对论对的极向通量在$1-10$ keV波段产生$3-30$的光学深度对电子回旋散射,从而降低净X射线偏振。

英文摘要:

Magnetars in quiescent states continue to emit hard X-rays with a power far exceeding the loss of rotational energy. It has recently been noted that this hard X-ray continuum may bear a direct signature of quantum electrodynamic (QED) effects in magnetic fields stronger than the Schwinger field ($B_{\rm Q} = 4.4\times 10^{13}$ G). Where the current flowing into the magnetosphere is driven by narrow structures in the solid crust, the $e^\pm$ pair plasma supporting the current relaxes to a collisional and trans-relativistic state. The decay of a pair into two photons produces a broad, bremsstrahlung-like spectrum of hard X-rays, similar to that observed and extending up to $0.5-1$ MeV. The conversion of two gamma rays to a pair is further enhanced by a factor $\sim B/B_{\rm Q}$. Monte Carlo calculations of pair creation in a dipole magnetic field are presented. Non-local particle injection is found to be strong enough to suppress the high voltage that otherwise would accompany a weaker, global twist; the hard X-rays are mostly emitted away from the magnetic poles. Some of the pairs annihilate in an optically thin surface layer. The prototypical anomalous X-ray pulsar 1E 2259$+$586, which shows a hard X-ray continuum but relatively weak torque noise, slow spindown, and no radio emission, is a Rosetta Stone for understanding the magnetar circuit, consistent with the picture advanced here. For a $15-60$ keV luminosity as low as $10^{34}$ erg s$^{-1}$, the polar flux of sub-relativistic pairs produces an optical depth $3-30$ to electron cyclotron scattering in the $1-10$ keV band, reducing the net X-ray polarization.

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