Showing papers on "Magnetic dipole published in 2009"

Inducing a Magnetic Monopole with Topological Surface States

Abstract: Existence of the magnetic monopole is compatible with the fundamental laws of nature; however, this elusive particle has yet to be detected experimentally. We show theoretically that an electric charge near a topological surface state induces an image magnetic monopole charge due to the topological magneto-electric effect. The magnetic field generated by the image magnetic monopole may be experimentally measured, and the inverse square law of the field dependence can be determined quantitatively. We propose that this effect can be used to experimentally realize a gas of quantum particles carrying fractional statistics, consisting of the bound states of the electric charge and the image magnetic monopole charge.

Chiral Magnetic conductivity

Abstract: Gluon field configurations with nonzero topological charge generate chirality, inducing P- and CP-odd effects. When a magnetic field is applied to a system with nonzero chirality, an electromagnetic current is generated along the direction of the magnetic field. The induced current is equal to the chiral magnetic conductivity times the magnetic field. In this article we will compute the chiral magnetic conductivity of a high-temperature plasma for nonzero frequencies. This allows us to discuss the effects of time-dependent magnetic fields, such as produced in heavy ion collisions, on chirally asymmetric systems.

Untwisting magnetospheres of neutron stars

Abstract: Magnetospheres of neutron stars are anchored in the rigid crust and can be twisted by sudden crustal motions (starquakes). The twisted magnetosphere does not remain static and gradually untwists, dissipating magnetic energy and producing radiation. The equation describing this evolution is derived, and its solutions are presented. Two distinct regions coexist in untwisting magnetospheres: a potential region where ∇ × B = 0 (cavity) and a current-carrying bundle of field lines with ∇ × B ≠ 0 (j-bundle). The cavity has a sharp boundary, which expands with time and eventually erases all of the twist. In this process, the electric current of the j-bundle is sucked into the star. Observational appearance of the untwisting process is discussed. A hot spot forms at the footprints of the j-bundle. The spot shrinks with time toward the magnetic dipole axis, and its luminosity and temperature gradually decrease. As the j-bundle shrinks, the amplitude of its twist ψ can grow to the maximum possible value ψmax ~ 1. The strong twist near the dipole axis increases the spindown rate of the star and can generate a broad beam of radio emission. The model explains the puzzling behavior of magnetar XTE J1810–197, a canonical example of magnetospheric evolution following a starquake. We also discuss implications for other magnetars. The untwisting theory suggests that the nonthermal radiation of magnetars is preferentially generated on a bundle of extended closed field lines near the dipole axis.

Signature of magnetic monopole and Dirac string dynamics in spin ice

Abstract: Magnetic monopoles have for a long time eluded detection by experiment. Theory now identifies a signature of monopole dynamics that is measurable experimentally, and that has already been seen in magnetic relaxation measurements in a spin-ice material.

Measurement of the charge and current of magnetic monopoles in spin ice

Abstract: Electric charges and currents are ubiquitous, but their magnetic counterparts are elusive. With the recent prediction, then demonstration, of the existence of magnetic 'monopoles' — particles with a net magnetic charge resembling a magnet with only one pole — in magnetically frustrated materials called 'spin ice', a system in which 'magnetricity' might be found has become available. Using the spin ice dysprosium titanate pyrochlore (Dy2Ti2O7), Bramwell et al. show that magnetic charges and their dynamics can be understood in terms of a magnetic analogue of the theory of electrolytes (substances that become ions in solution and are capable of conducting electricity). They observe real magnetic currents and determine the elementary unit of magnetic charge. The findings establish an instance of a perfect symmetry between electricity and magnetism. Magnetic counterparts to electric charges and currents have proved elusive. However, it was recently proposed that magnetic charges can exist in a certain type of material termed 'spin ice'. Here, experimental measurements prove that magnetic charges can indeed exist in such a material and have measurable currents, thus establishing an instance of perfect symmetry between electricity and magnetism. The transport of electrically charged quasiparticles (based on electrons or ions) plays a pivotal role in modern technology as well as in determining the essential functions of biological organisms. In contrast, the transport of magnetic charges has barely been explored experimentally, mainly because magnetic charges, in contrast to electric ones, are generally considered at best to be convenient macroscopic parameters1,2, rather than well-defined quasiparticles. However, it was recently proposed that magnetic charges can exist in certain materials in the form of emergent excitations that manifest like point charges, or magnetic monopoles3. Here we address the question of whether such magnetic charges and their associated currents—‘magnetricity’—can be measured directly in experiment, without recourse to any material-specific theory. By mapping the problem onto Onsager's theory of electrolytes4, we show that this is indeed possible, and devise an appropriate method for the measurement of magnetic charges and their dynamics. Using muon spin rotation as a suitable local probe, we apply the method to a real material, the ‘spin ice’ Dy2Ti2O7 (refs 5–8). Our experimental measurements prove that magnetic charges exist in this material, interact via a Coulomb potential, and have measurable currents. We further characterize deviations from Ohm's law, and determine the elementary unit of magnetic charge to be 5 μB A-1, which is equal to that recently predicted using the microscopic theory of spin ice3. Our measurement of magnetic charge and magnetic current establishes an instance of a perfect symmetry between electricity and magnetism.

Cavity-QED based on collective magnetic dipole coupling: spin ensembles as hybrid two-level systems

Abstract: We analyze the magnetic dipole coupling of an ensemble of spins to a superconducting microwave stripline structure, incorporating a Josephson junction based transmon qubit. We show that this system is described by an embedded Jaynes-Cummings model: in the strong coupling regime, collective spin-wave excitations of the ensemble of spins pick up the nonlinearity of the cavity mode, such that the two lowest eigenstates of the coupled spin wave-microwave cavity-Josephson junction system define a hybrid two-level system. The proposal described here enables new avenues for nonlinear optics using optical photons coupled to spin ensembles via Raman transitions. The possibility of strong coupling cavity QED with magnetic dipole transitions also opens up the possibility of extending quantum information processing protocols to spins in silicon or graphene, without the need for single-spin confinement.

Dynamical simulations of magnetically channelled line-driven stellar winds - III. Angular momentum loss and rotational spin-down

Abstract: We examine the angular momentum loss and associated rotational spin-down for magnetic hot stars with a line-driven stellar wind and a rotation-aligned dipole magnetic field. Our analysis here is based on our previous two-dimensional numerical magnetohydrodynamics simulation study that examines the interplay among wind, field and rotation as a function of two dimensionless parameters: one characterizing the wind magnetic confinement () and the other the ratio (W≡Vrot/Vorb) of stellar rotation to critical (orbital) speed. We compare and contrast the two-dimensional, time-variable angular momentum loss of this dipole model of a hot-star wind with the classical one-dimensional steady-state analysis by Weber and Davis (WD), who used an idealized monopole field to model the angular momentum loss in the solar wind. Despite the differences, we find that the total angular momentum loss averaged over both solid angle and time closely follows the general WD scaling , where is the mass-loss rate, Ω is the stellar angular velocity and RA is a characteristic Alfven radius. However, a key distinction here is that for a dipole field, this Alfven radius has a strong-field scaling RA/R*≈η1/4*, instead of the scaling for a monopole field. This leads to a slower stellar spin-down time that in the dipole case scales as , where is the characteristic mass loss time and k is the dimensionless factor for stellar moment of inertia. The full numerical scaling relation that we cite gives typical spin-down times of the order of 1 Myr for several known magnetic massive stars.

Surface and bulk contributions to the second-order nonlinear optical response of a gold film

Abstract: We use two-beam second-harmonic generation to separate the surface (electric dipole origin) and bulk (magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole origin) contributions to the second-order nonlinear optical response of an isotropic gold film. The bulk response is unambiguously observed and explained by momentum damping of electrons in a free-electron model. Although bulk effects could be enhanced by inhomogeneous local fields in metal nanostructures and have been used to model second-harmonic generation from metamaterials [Y. Zeng et al., Phys. Rev. B 79, 235109 (2009)], we find that surface effects dominate the nonlinearity. Our quantitative results for the surface and bulk parameters set the baseline for future descriptions of the second-order response of nanostructured metals.

Electric and magnetic dipole coupling in near-infrared split-ring metamaterial arrays.

Abstract: We present experimental observations of strong electric and magnetic interactions between split ring resonators (SRRs) in metamaterials. We fabricated near-infrared planar metamaterials with different inter-SRR spacings along different directions. Our transmission measurements show blueshifts and redshifts of the magnetic resonance, depending on SRR orientation relative to the lattice. The shifts agree well with simultaneous magnetic and electric near-field dipole coupling. We also find large broadening of the resonance, accompanied by a decrease in effective cross section per SRR with increasing density due to superradiant scattering. Our data shed new light on Lorentz-Lorenz approaches to metamaterials.

Modeling of Gamma-Ray Pulsar Light Curves with Force-Free Magnetic Field

Abstract: (Abridged) Gamma-ray emission from pulsars has long been modeled using a vacuum dipole field. This approximation ignores changes in the field structure caused by the magnetospheric plasma and strong plasma currents. We present the first results of gamma-ray pulsar light curve modeling using the more realistic field taken from 3D force-free magnetospheric simulations. Having the geometry of the field, we apply several prescriptions for the location of the emission zone, comparing the light curves to observations. We find that the conventional two-pole caustic model fails to produce double-peak pulse profiles, mainly because the size of the polar cap in force-free magnetosphere is larger than the vacuum field polar cap. The conventional outer-gap model is capable of producing only one peak under general conditions, because a large fraction of open field lines does not cross the null charge surface. We propose a novel "separatrix layer" model, where the high-energy emission originates from a thin layer on the open field lines just inside of the separatrix that bounds the open flux tube. The emission from this layer generates two strong caustics on the sky map due to the effect we term "Sky Map Stagnation" (SMS). It is related to the fact that force-free field asymptotically approaches the field of a rotating split monopole, and the photons emitted on such field lines in the outer magnetosphere arrive to the observer in phase. The double-peak light curve is a natural consequence of SMS. We show that most features of the currently available gamma-ray pulsar light curves can be reasonably well reproduced and explained with the sepatratrix model using the force-free field. Association of the emission region with the current sheet will guide more detailed future studies of the magnetospheric acceleration physics.

All-dielectric rod-type metamaterials at optical frequencies.

Abstract: Light propagation in all-dielectric rod-type metamaterials is studied theoretically. The electric and magnetic dipole moments of the rods are derived analytically in the long-wavelength limit. The effective permittivity and permeability of a square lattice of rods are calculated by homogenizing the corresponding array of dipoles. The role of dipole resonances in the optical properties of the rod array is interpreted. This structure is found to exhibit a true left-handed behavior, confirming previous experiments [L. Peng et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 157403 (2007)]. A scaling analysis shows that this effect holds at optical frequencies and can be obtained by using rods made, for example, of silicon.

Numerical evidence of chiral magnetic effect in lattice gauge theory

Abstract: The chiral magnetic effect is the generation of electric current of quarks along an external magnetic field in the background of topologically nontrivial gluon fields. There is recent evidence that this effect is observed by the STAR Collaboration in heavy-ion collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. In our paper we study qualitative signatures of the chiral magnetic effect using quenched lattice simulations. We find indications that the electric current is indeed enhanced in the direction of the magnetic field both in equilibrium configurations of the quantum gluon fields and in a smooth gluon background with nonzero topological charge. In the confinement phase the magnetic field enhances the local fluctuations of both the electric charge and chiral charge densities. In the deconfinement phase the effects of the magnetic field become smaller, possibly due to thermal screening. Using a simple model of a fireball we obtain a good agreement between our data and experimental results of STAR Collaboration.

Three-dimensional numerical simulations of the pulsar magnetosphere: preliminary results

Abstract: We investigate the three-dimensional structure of the pulsar magnetosphere through time-dependent numerical simulations of a magnetic dipole that is set in rotation. We developed our own Eulerian finite difference time domain numerical solver of force-free electrodynamics and implemented the technique of non-reflecting and absorbing outer boundaries. This allows us to run our simulations for many stellar rotations, and thus claim with confidence that we have reached a steady state. A quasi-stationary corotating pattern is established, in agreement with previous numerical solutions. We discuss the prospects of our code for future high-resolution investigations of dissipation, particle acceleration, and temporal variability.

Multiple magnetic barriers in graphene

Abstract: We study the behavior of charge carriers in graphene in inhomogeneous perpendicular magnetic fields. We consider two types of one-dimensional magnetic profiles, uniform in one direction: a sequence of N magnetic barriers, and a sequence of alternating magnetic barriers and wells. In both cases, we compute the transmission coefficient of the magnetic structure by means of the transfer matrix formalism, and the associated conductance. In the first case the structure becomes increasingly transparent upon increasing N at fixed total magnetic flux. In the second case we find strong wave-vector filtering and resonant effects. We also calculate the band structure of a periodic magnetic superlattice, and find a wave-vector-dependent gap around zero-energy.

Electromotive force and huge magnetoresistance in magnetic tunnel junctions

Abstract: When an electron passes through a circuit, a force will act on the charge to increase the electron's energy. This is the electromotive force (e.m.f.), and according to Faraday's law of induction, an e.m.f. cannot be induced by a static magnetic field. But there are other forces present that will act on an electron's spin, giving rise to the possibility of generating an e.m.f. of purely spin origin, even in a static magnetic field. Pham Nam Hai and colleagues have now realized such an effect using magnetic tunnel junctions containing nanoscale magnetic particles. The resulting conversion of magnetic to electrical energy in these structures gives rise to a usefully large magnetoresistive response (as high as 100,000%), and might also form the basis of a 'spin battery'. A static magnetic field should generate no e.m.f. in a closed electrical circuit: but there is the possibility of generating an e.m.f. of purely spin origin in a static magnetic field. Pham Nam Hai and colleagues have now realised such an effect using magnetic tunnel junctions containing nanoscale magnetic particles; the resulting conversion of magnetic to electrical energy gives rise to a huge magnetoresistance (as high as 100,000 per cent), and might also form the basis of a 'spin battery'. The electromotive force (e.m.f.) predicted by Faraday’s law reflects the forces acting on the charge, –e, of an electron moving through a device or circuit, and is proportional to the time derivative of the magnetic field. This conventional e.m.f. is usually absent for stationary circuits and static magnetic fields. There are also forces that act on the spin of an electron; it has been recently predicted1,2 that, for circuits that are in part composed of ferromagnetic materials, there arises an e.m.f. of spin origin even for a static magnetic field. This e.m.f. can be attributed to a time-varying magnetization of the host material, such as the motion of magnetic domains in a static magnetic field, and reflects the conversion of magnetic to electrical energy. Here we show that such an e.m.f. can indeed be induced by a static magnetic field in magnetic tunnel junctions containing zinc-blende-structured MnAs quantum nanomagnets. The observed e.m.f. operates on a timescale of approximately 102–103 seconds and results from the conversion of the magnetic energy of the superparamagnetic MnAs nanomagnets into electrical energy when these magnets undergo magnetic quantum tunnelling. As a consequence, a huge magnetoresistance of up to 100,000 per cent is observed for certain bias voltages. Our results strongly support the contention that, in magnetic nanostructures, Faraday’s law of induction must be generalized to account for forces of purely spin origin. The huge magnetoresistance and e.m.f. may find potential applications in high sensitivity magnetic sensors, as well as in new active devices such as ‘spin batteries’.

Relativistic models of magnetars: the twisted torus magnetic field configuration

Abstract: We find general relativistic solutions of equilibrium magnetic field configurations in magnetars, extending previous results of Colaiuda et al. Our method is based on the solution of the relativistic Grad-Shafranov equation, to which Maxwell's equations can be reduced. We obtain equilibrium solutions with the toroidal magnetic field component confined into a finite region inside the star, and the poloidal component extending to the exterior. These so-called twisted torus configurations have been found to be the final outcome of dynamical simulations in the framework of Newtonian gravity, and appear to be more stable than other configurations. The solutions include higher-order multipoles, which are coupled to the dominant dipolar field. We use arguments of minimal energy to constrain the ratio of the toroidal to the poloidal field.

Dipolar dark matter

Abstract: If dark matter (DM) has nonzero direct or transition, electric or magnetic dipole moment then it can scatter nucleons electromagnetically in direct detection experiments. Using the results from experiments like XENON, CDMS, DAMA, and COGENT, we put bounds on the electric and magnetic dipole moments of DM. If DM consists of Dirac fermions with direct dipole moments, then DM of mass less than 10 GeV is consistent with the DAMA signal and with null results of other experiments. If on the other hand DM consists of Majorana fermions then they can have only nonzero transition moments between different mass eigenstates. We find that Majorana fermions with masses 38 < or approx. m{sub {chi}} < or approx. 100-200 GeV and mass splitting of the order of (150-200) keV can explain the DAMA signal and the null observations from other experiments and in addition give the observed relic density of DM by dipole-mediated annihilation. The absence of the heavier DM state in the present Universe can be explained by dipole-mediated radiative decay. This parameter space for the mass and for dipole moments is allowed by limits from L3 but may have observable signals at LHC.

Magnetic moment generation from non-minimal couplings in a scenario with Lorentz-symmetry violation

Abstract: This paper deals with situations that illustrate how the violation of Lorentz symmetry in the gauge sector may contribute to magnetic moment generation of massive neutral particles with spin- $\frac {1}{2}$ and spin-1. The procedure we adopt here is based on Relativistic Quantum Mechanics. We work out the non-relativistic regime that follows from the wave equation corresponding to a certain particle coupled to an external electromagnetic field and a background that accounts for the Lorentz-symmetry violation, and we thereby read off the magnetic dipole moment operator for the particle under consideration. We keep track of the parameters that govern the non-minimal electromagnetic coupling and the breaking of Lorentz symmetry in the expressions we get for the magnetic moments in the different cases we contemplate. Our claim is that the tiny magnetic dipole moment of truly-elementary neutral particles might signal Lorentz-symmetry violation.

Magnetic monopole and string excitations in two-dimensional spin ice

Abstract: We study the magnetic excitations of a square lattice spin ice recently produced in an artificial form as an array of nanoscale magnets. Our analysis, based on the dipolar interaction between the nanomagnetic islands, correctly reproduces the ground state observed experimentally. In addition, we find magnetic monopolelike excitations effectively interacting by means of the usual Coulombic plus a linear confining potential, the latter being related to a stringlike excitation binding the monopoles pairs, which indicates that the fractionalization of magnetic dipoles may not be so easy in two dimensions. These findings contrast this material with the three-dimensional analog, where such monopoles experience only the Coulombic interaction. We discuss, however, two entropic effects that affect the monopole interactions. First, the string configurational entropy may lose the string tension and then free magnetic monopoles should also be found in lower dimensional spin ices; second, in contrast to the string configurational entropy, an entropically driven Coulomb force, which increases with temperature, has the opposite effect of confining the magnetic defects.

Prandtl number dependence of convection driven dynamos in rotating spherical fluid shells

Abstract: The value of the Prandtl number $P$ exerts a strong influence on convection-driven dynamos in rotating spherical shells filled with electrically conducting fluids. Low Prandtl numbers promote dynamo action through the shear provided by differential rotation, while the generation of magnetic fields is more difficult to sustain in high-Prandtl-number fluids where higher values of the magnetic Prandtl number $P_m$ are required. The magnetostrophic approximation often used in dynamo theory appears to be valid only for relatively high values of $P$ and $P_m$. Dynamos with a minimum value of $P_m$ seem to be most readily realizable in the presence of convection columns at moderately low values of $P$. The structure of the magnetic field varies strongly with $P$ in that dynamos with a strong axial dipole field are found for high values of $P$ while the energy of this component is exceeded by that of the axisymmetric toroidal field and by that of the non-axisymmetric components at low values of $P$. Some conclusions are discussed in relation to the problem of the generation of planetary magnetic fields by motions in their electrically conducting liquid cores.

Hysteresis loops of an assembly of superparamagnetic nanoparticles with uniaxial anisotropy

Abstract: A simple kinetic approach based on approximate solution of the Fokker–Planck equation for magnetic moment orientations is developed for the calculation of the hysteresis loop of a superparamagnetic nanoparticle assembly with predominantly uniaxial magnetic anisotropy The hysteresis loops of the oriented assembly have been obtained in the intermediate to high damping limit as a function of temperature at various angles that the applied magnetic field makes with the particle easy anisotropy axis An analytic approximation is given for the effective energy barriers separating energy wells The evolution of the hysteresis loop as a function of temperature is shown to take place between the ultimate Stoner–Wohlfarth loop and the equilibrium magnetization curve Analytical estimates for the coercive force and the blocking temperature are obtained both for ordered and randomly oriented assemblies of uniaxial particles

Creation of Dirac Monopoles in Spinor Bose-Einstein Condensates

Abstract: We demonstrate theoretically that, by using external magnetic fields, one can imprint pointlike topological defects on the spin texture of a dilute Bose-Einstein condensate. The symmetries of the condensate order parameter render this topological defect to be accompanied with a vortex filament corresponding to the Dirac string of a magnetic monopole. The vorticity in the condensate coincides with the magnetic field of a magnetic monopole, providing an ideal analogue to the monopole studied by Dirac.

Fabrication of novel anisotropic magnetic microparticles

Abstract: We report a novel technique for fabrication of magnetically anisotropic microparticles based on “arresting” of the alignment of oleic acid coated magnetite nanoparticles (OCMNs) dispersed within the oil drops of a polymerisable oil-in-water emulsion. This was achieved by polymerising the oil drops after gelling the continuous aqueous phase in the presence of an external magnetic field. This approach allowed us to produce magnetic Janus particles with anisotropic optical and magnetic properties which form unusual zig-zag chains and structures when exposed to an external magnetic field. We studied the magnetic properties of these novel microparticles and showed that they retained remanence magnetisation with high coercivity values indicative of ferromagnetic behaviour. This indicates that the composite polymeric Janus microparticles posses a net magnetic dipole and behave like micromagnets due to the “arrested” orientation of the OCMNs in their polymeric matrix. Utilizing the same technique, magnetic Janus microparticles have been prepared based on emulsions stabilised only by OCMNs without the use of surfactants, and the effect of pH of continuous aqueous phase on the morphology of these microparticles has been investigated.

Magnetism and binarity of the Herbig Ae star V380 Ori

Abstract: In this paper we report the results of high-resolution circular spectropolarimetric monitoring of the Herbig Ae star V380 Ori, in which we discovered a magnetic field in 2005. A careful study of the intensity spectrum reveals the presence of a cool spectroscopic companion. By modelling the binary spectrum we infer the e! ective temperature of both stars: 10500±500K for the primary, and 5500 ± 500 K for the secondary, and we argue that the high metallicity ([M/H] = 0.5), required to fit the lines may imply that the primary is a chemically peculiar star. We observe that the radial velocity of the secondary’s lines varies with time, while that of the the primary does not. By fitting these variations we derive the orbital parameters of the system. We find an orbital period of 104 ± 5 d, and a mass ratio (MP/MS) larger than 2.9. The intensity spectrum is heavily contaminated with strong, broad and variable emission. A simple analysis of these lines reveals that a disk might surround the binary, and that a wind occurs in the environment of the system. Finally, we performed a magnetic analysis using the Least-Squares Deconvolved(LSD) profiles of the Stokes V spectra of both stars, and adopting the oblique rotator model. From rotational modulation of the primary’s Stokes V signatures, we infer its rotation period P = 4.31276 ± 0.00042 d, and find that it hosts a centred dipole magnetic field of polar strength 2.12 ± 0.15 kG, with a magnetic obliquity " = 66 ± 5 ! , and a rotation axis inclination i = 32 ± 5 ! . However, no magnetic field is detected in the secondary, and if it hosts a dipolarmagneticfield, its strengthmust be below about500 G, to be consistent with our observations.

Global 3D Simulations of Disc Accretion onto the classical T Tauri Star V2129 Oph

Abstract: The magnetic field of the classical T Tauri star V2129 Oph can be modeled approximately by superposing slightly tilted dipole and octupole moments, with polar magnetic field strengths of 0.35kG and 1.2kG respectively (Donati et al. 2007). Here we construct a numerical model of V2129 Oph incorporating this result and simulate accretion onto the star. Simulations show that the disk is truncated by the dipole component and matter flows towards the star in two funnel streams. Closer to the star, the flow is redirected by the octupolar component, with some of the matter flowing towards the high-latitude poles, and the rest into the octupolar belts. The shape and position of the spots differ from those in a pure dipole case, where crescent-shaped spots are observed at the intermediate latitudes. Simulations show that if the disk is truncated at the distance of 6.2 R_* which is comparable with the co-rotation radius, 6.8 R_*, then the high-latitude polar spots dominate, but the accretion rate obtained from the simulations is about an order of magnitude lower than the observed one. The accretion rate matches the observed one if the disk is disrupted much closer to the star, at 3.4 R_*. However, the octupolar belt spots strongly dominate. Better match has been obtained in experiments with a dipole field twice as strong. The torque on the star from the disk-magnetosphere interaction is small, and the time-scale of spin evolution, 2 x10^7-10^9 years is longer than the 2x10^6 years age of V2129 Oph. The external magnetic flux of the star is strongly influenced by the disk: the field lines connecting the disk and the star inflate and form magnetic towers above and below the disk. The potential (vacuum) approximation is still valid inside the Alfven (magnetospheric) surface where the magnetic stress dominates over the matter stress.

On the quasi‐periodic oscillations in magnetars

Abstract: We study torsional Alfven oscillations of magnetars, that is neutron stars with a strong magnetic field. We consider the poloidal and toroidal components of the magnetic field and a wide range of equilibrium stellar models. We use a new coordinate system (X, Y), where X = √a 1 sin θ and Y = √a 1 cos θ and a 1 is the radial component of the magnetic field. In this coordinate system, the one+two-dimensional evolution equation describing the quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs), see Sotani et al., is reduced to a one+one-dimensional equation where the perturbations propagate only along the y-axis. We solve the one+one-dimensional equation for different boundary conditions and the open magnetic field lines, that is magnetic field lines that reach the surface and there match up with the exterior dipole magnetic field as well as closed magnetic lines, i.e. magnetic lines that never reach the stellar surface. For the open field lines, we find two families of QPO frequencies: a family of 'lower' QPO frequencies which is located near the x-axis and a family of 'upper' frequencies located near the y-axis. According to Levin, the fundamental frequencies of these two families can be interpreted as the turning point of the continuous spectrum. We find that the upper frequencies are multiples of the lower ones by a constant equalling 2n + 1. For the closed lines, the corresponding factor is n + 1. By using these relations, we can explain both the lower and the higher observed frequencies in SGR 1806―20 and SGR 1900+14.

Discovery of a magnetic field in the O9 sub-giant star HD 57682 by the MiMeS Collaboration

Abstract: We report the detection of a strong, organized magnetic field in the O9IV star HD 57682, using spectropolarimetric observations obtained with ESPaDOnS at the 3.6-m Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope within the context of the Magnetism in Massive Stars (MiMeS) Large Programme. From the fitting of our spectra using non-local thermodynamic equilibrium model atmospheres, we determined that HD 57682 is a 17(-9)(+19)M(circle dot) star with a radius of 7.0(-1.8)(+2.4)R(circle dot) and a relatively low mass-loss rate of 1.4(-0.95)(+3.1) x 10(-9) M-circle dot yr(-1). The photospheric absorption lines are narrow, and we use the Fourier transform technique to infer v sin i = 15 +/- 3 km s(-1). This v sin i implies a maximum rotational period of 31.5 d, a value qualitatively consistent with the observed variability of the optical absorption and emission lines, as well as the Stokes V profiles and longitudinal field. Using a Bayesian analysis of the velocity-resolved Stokes V profiles to infer the magnetic field characteristics, we tentatively derive a dipole field strength of 1680(-356)(+134)G. The derived field strength and wind characteristics imply a wind that is strongly confined by the magnetic field.

Alfvén QPOs in magnetars in the anelastic approximation

Abstract: We perform two-dimensional simulations of Alfven oscillations in magnetars, modelled as relativistic stars with a dipolar magnetic field. We use the anelastic approximation to general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics, which allows for an effective suppression of fluid modes and an accurate description of Alfven waves. In addition, we compute Alfven oscillation frequencies along individual magnetic field lines with a semi-analytic approach, employing a short-wavelength approximation. Our main findings are as follows: (a) we confirm the existence of two families of quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs), with harmonics at integer multiples of the fundamental frequency, as was found in the linear study of Sotani, Kokkotas & Stergioulas; (b) the QPOs appearing near the magnetic axis are split into two groups, depending on their symmetry across the equatorial plane. The antisymmetric QPOs have only odd integer-multiple harmonics; (c) the continuum obtained with our semi-analytic approach agrees remarkably well with QPOs obtained via the two-dimensional simulations, allowing for a clear interpretation of the QPOs as corresponding to turning points of the continuum. This agreement will allow for a comprehensive study of Alfven QPOs for a larger number of different models, without the need for time-consuming simulations. Finally, we construct empirical relations for the QPO frequencies and compare them to observations of known Soft Gamma Repeaters. We find that, under the assumptions of our model and if the magnetic field of magnetars is characterized by a strong dipolar component, and QPOs are produced near the magnetic pole, then one can place an upper limit to the mean surface strength of the magnetic field of about 3-8 x 10 15 G.

Calculation of ( P , T ) -odd electric dipole moments for the diamagnetic atoms X 129 e , Y 171 b , H 199 g , R 211 n , and R 225 a

Abstract: Electric dipole moments of diamagnetic atoms of experimental interest are calculated using the relativistic Hartree-Fock and random-phase approximation methods, the many-body perturbation theory and configuration interaction technique. We consider P,T-odd interactions which give rise to atomic electric dipole moment in the second order of the perturbation theory. These include nuclear Schiff moment, P,T-odd electron-nucleon interaction and electron electric dipole moment. Interpretation of a new experimental constraint of a permanent electric dipole moment of $^{199}$Hg [W. C. Griffith {\it et al.}, Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 102}, 101601 (2009)] is discussed.

Low frequency magnetoresistive noise in spin-valve structures

Abstract: We report on resistance noise in spin-valve structures that is due to reconfigurations in domain structure of the magnetic layers. 1/f noise from the free layer and pinned layer is evident and its magnitude is in good agreement with predictions from the fluctuation dissipation relation using the imaginary (dissipative) component of the measured resistance susceptibility. In addition, we find that the imaginary component is dependent on applied magnetic field, being larger for layers that exhibit pronounced magnetic hysteresis. A magnetoresistive 1/f noise parameter is proposed, and benchmark values for a variety of spin-valve devices are reported.