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Maxim Lyutikov

Bio: Maxim Lyutikov is an academic researcher from Purdue University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Pulsar & Neutron star. The author has an hindex of 39, co-authored 220 publications receiving 5833 citations. Previous affiliations of Maxim Lyutikov include University of British Columbia & McGill University.


Papers
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors considered the structure of neutron star magnetospheres threaded by large-scale electrical currents and the effect of resonant Compton scattering by the charge carriers (both electrons and ions) on the emergent X-ray spectra and pulse profiles.
Abstract: (ABBREVIATED) We consider the structure of neutron star magnetospheres threaded by large-scale electrical currents, and the effect of resonant Compton scattering by the charge carriers (both electrons and ions) on the emergent X-ray spectra and pulse profiles. In the magnetar model for the SGRs and AXPs, these currents are maintained by magnetic stresses acting deep inside the star. We construct self-similar, force-free equilibria of the current-carrying magnetosphere with a power-law dependence of magnetic field on radius, B ~ r^(-2-p), and show that a large-scale twist softens the radial dependence to p < 1. The spindown torque acting on the star is thereby increased in comparison with a vacuum dipole. We comment on the strength of the surface magnetic field in the SGR and AXP sources, and the implications of this model for the narrow measured distribution of spin periods. A magnetosphere with a strong twist, B_\phi/B_\theta = O(1) at the equator, has an optical depth ~ 1 to resonant cyclotron scattering, independent of frequency (radius), surface magnetic field strength, or charge/mass ratio of the scattering charge. When electrons and ions supply the current, the stellar surface is also heated by the impacting charges at a rate comparable to the observed X-ray output of the SGR and AXP sources, if B_{dipole} ~ 10^{14} G. Redistribution of the emerging X-ray flux at the ion and electron cyclotron resonances will significantly modify the emerging pulse profile and, through the Doppler effect, generate a non-thermal tail to the X-ray spectrum. The sudden change in the pulse profile of SGR 1900+14 after the 27 August 1998 giant flare is related to an enhanced optical depth to electron cyclotron scattering, resulting from a sudden twist imparted to the external magnetic field.

675 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the Stokes parameters of synchrotron emission of a relativistically moving plasma with a given magnetic field configuration were derived and the pulse averaged polarization fraction was calculated.
Abstract: Observations by the {\RHESSI} satellite of large polarization of the prompt $\gamma$-ray emission from the Gamma Ray Burst GRB021206 \citep{coburn03} imply that the magnetic field coherence scale is larger than the size of the visible emitting region, $\sim R/\Gamma$, where $R$ is the radius of the flow, $\Gamma$ is the associated Lorentz factor. Such fields cannot be generated in a causally disconnected, hydrodynamically dominated outflow. Electromagnetic models of GRBs \citep{lyutikov02}, in which large scale, dynamically dominant, magnetic fields are present in the outflow from the very beginning, provide a natural explanation of this large reported linear polarization. We derive Stokes parameters of synchrotron emission of a relativistically moving plasma with a given magnetic field configuration and calculate the pulse averaged polarization fraction of the emission from a relativistically expanding shell carrying global toroidal magnetic field. For viewing angles larger than $1/\Gamma$ the observed patch of the emitting shell has almost homogeneous magnetic field, producing a large fractional polarization ($56% $ for a power-law energy distribution of relativistic particles $dn/d\epsilon \propto \epsilon^{-3}$). The maximum polarization is smaller than the theoretical upper limit for a stationary plasma in uniform magnetic field due to relativistic kinematic effects.

249 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
Maxim Lyutikov1
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the possibility that X-ray flares and bursts observed from anomalous x-ray pulsars and soft γ-ray repeaters result from magnetospheric reconnection events initiated by the development of the tearing mode in magnetically dominated relativistic plasma.
Abstract: The X-ray activity of anomalous X-ray pulsars and soft γ-ray repeaters may result from the heating of their magnetic corona by direct currents dissipated by magnetic reconnection. We investigate the possibility that X-rayflares and bursts observed from anomalous X-ray pulsars and soft γ-ray repeaters result from magnetospheric reconnection events initiated by development of the tearing mode in magnetically dominated relativistic plasma. We formulate equations of resistive force-free electrodynamics, discuss the relation of the latter to ideal electrodynamics, and give examples of both ideal and resistive equilibria. Resistive force-free current layers are unstable towards the development of small-scale current sheets where resistive effects become important. Thin current sheets are found to be unstable due to the development of the resistive force-free tearing mode. The growth rate of the tearing mode is intermediate between the short Alfven time-scale τ A and a long resistive time-scale τ R : r ∼ 1/(τ R τ A ) 1 / 2 , similar to the case of non-relativistic non-force-free plasma. We propose that growth of the tearing mode is related to the typical rise time of flares, ∼10 ms. Finally, we discuss how reconnection may explain other magnetar phenomena and ways to test the model.

249 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the Stokes parameters of the synchrotron emission of a relativistically moving plasma with a given magnetic field configuration were derived and the pulse-averaged polarization fraction of the emission from an expanding shell carrying a global toroidal magnetic field was calculated.
Abstract: Observations by the RHESSI satellite of the large polarization of the prompt γ-ray emission from γ-ray burst (GRB) 021206 imply that the magnetic field coherence scale is larger than the size of the visible emitting region, ~R/Γ, where R is the radius of the flow and Γ is the associated Lorentz factor. Such fields cannot be generated in a causally disconnected, hydrodynamically dominated outflow. Electromagnetic models of GRBs, in which large-scale, dynamically dominant, magnetic fields are present in the outflow from the very beginning, provide a natural explanation of this large reported linear polarization. We derive the Stokes parameters of the synchrotron emission of a relativistically moving plasma with a given magnetic field configuration and calculate the pulse-averaged polarization fraction of the emission from a relativistically expanding shell carrying a global toroidal magnetic field. For viewing angles larger than 1/Γ, the observed patch of the emitting shell has an almost homogeneous magnetic field, producing a large fractional polarization (56% for a power-law energy distribution of relativistic particles, dn/d -3). The maximum polarization is smaller than the theoretical upper limit for a stationary plasma in a uniform magnetic field because of relativistic kinematic effects.

245 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
07 Oct 2011-Science
TL;DR: This detection constrains the mechanism and emission region of gamma-ray radiation in the pulsar’s magnetosphere and requires that these gamma rays be produced more than 10 stellar radii from the neutron star.
Abstract: We report the detection of pulsed gamma rays from the Crab pulsar at energies above 100 giga-electron volts (GeV) with the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) array of atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. The detection cannot be explained on the basis of current pulsar models. The photon spectrum of pulsed emission between 100 mega-electron volts and 400 GeV is described by a broken power law that is statistically preferred over a power law with an exponential cutoff. It is unlikely that the observation can be explained by invoking curvature radiation as the origin of the observed gamma rays above 100 GeV. Our findings require that these gamma rays be produced more than 10 stellar radii from the neutron star.

224 citations


Cited by
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[...]

08 Dec 2001-BMJ
TL;DR: There is, I think, something ethereal about i —the square root of minus one, which seems an odd beast at that time—an intruder hovering on the edge of reality.
Abstract: There is, I think, something ethereal about i —the square root of minus one. I remember first hearing about it at school. It seemed an odd beast at that time—an intruder hovering on the edge of reality. Usually familiarity dulls this sense of the bizarre, but in the case of i it was the reverse: over the years the sense of its surreal nature intensified. It seemed that it was impossible to write mathematics that described the real world in …

33,785 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Tests of general relativity at the post-Newtonian level have reached high precision, including the light deflection, the Shapiro time delay, the perihelion advance of Mercury, the Nordtvedt effect in lunar motion, and frame-dragging.
Abstract: The status of experimental tests of general relativity and of theoretical frameworks for analyzing them is reviewed and updated. Einstein’s equivalence principle (EEP) is well supported by experiments such as the Eotvos experiment, tests of local Lorentz invariance and clock experiments. Ongoing tests of EEP and of the inverse square law are searching for new interactions arising from unification or quantum gravity. Tests of general relativity at the post-Newtonian level have reached high precision, including the light deflection, the Shapiro time delay, the perihelion advance of Mercury, the Nordtvedt effect in lunar motion, and frame-dragging. Gravitational wave damping has been detected in an amount that agrees with general relativity to better than half a percent using the Hulse-Taylor binary pulsar, and a growing family of other binary pulsar systems is yielding new tests, especially of strong-field effects. Current and future tests of relativity will center on strong gravity and gravitational waves.

3,394 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A review of the current theoretical understanding of the physical processes believed to take place in GRB's can be found in this article, where the authors focus on the afterglow itself, the jet break in the light curve, and the optical flash that accompanies the GRB.
Abstract: Gamma-ray bursts (GRB's), short and intense pulses of low-energy $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays, have fascinated astronomers and astrophysicists since their unexpected discovery in the late sixties. During the last decade, several space missions---BATSE (Burst and Transient Source Experiment) on the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory, BeppoSAX and now HETE II (High-Energy Transient Explorer)---together with ground-based optical, infrared, and radio observatories have revolutionized our understanding of GRB's, showing that they are cosmological, that they are accompanied by long-lasting afterglows, and that they are associated with core-collapse supernovae. At the same time a theoretical understanding has emerged in the form of the fireball internal-external shocks model. According to this model GRB's are produced when the kinetic energy of an ultrarelativistic flow is dissipated in internal collisions. The afterglow arises when the flow is slowed down by shocks with the surrounding circumburst matter. This model has had numerous successful predictions, like the predictions of the afterglow itself, of jet breaks in the afterglow light curve, and of the optical flash that accompanies the GRB's. This review focuses on the current theoretical understanding of the physical processes believed to take place in GRB's.

1,800 citations

15 Mar 1979
TL;DR: In this article, the experimental estimation of parameters for models can be solved through use of the likelihood ratio test, with particular attention to photon counting experiments, and procedures presented solve a greater range of problems than those currently in use, yet are no more difficult to apply.
Abstract: Many problems in the experimental estimation of parameters for models can be solved through use of the likelihood ratio test. Applications of the likelihood ratio, with particular attention to photon counting experiments, are discussed. The procedures presented solve a greater range of problems than those currently in use, yet are no more difficult to apply. The procedures are proved analytically, and examples from current problems in astronomy are discussed.

1,748 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, it was shown that most long-duration soft-spectrum gamma-ray bursts are accompanied by massive stellar explosions (GRB-SNe) and that most of the energy in the explosion is contained in nonrelativistic ejecta (producing the supernova) rather than in the relativistic jets responsible for making the burst and its afterglow.
Abstract: Observations show that at least some gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) happen simultaneously with core-collapse supernovae (SNe), thus linking by a common thread nature's two grandest explosions. We review here the growing evidence for and theoretical implications of this association, and conclude that most long-duration soft-spectrum GRBs are accompanied by massive stellar explosions (GRB-SNe). The kinetic energy and luminosity of well-studied GRB-SNe appear to be greater than those of ordinary SNe, but evidence exists, even in a limited sample, for considerable diversity. The existing sample also suggests that most of the energy in the explosion is contained in nonrelativistic ejecta (producing the supernova) rather than in the relativistic jets responsible for making the burst and its afterglow. Neither all SNe, nor even all SNe of Type Ibc produce GRBs. The degree of differential rotation in the collapsing iron core of massive stars when they die may be what makes the difference.

1,389 citations