Are the magnetic fields of millisecond pulsars similar to 10(8) G?

Author(s)

de Souza, Rafael S. ^[1] ; Opher, Reuven ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, IAG, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ASTROPHYSICS AND SPACE SCIENCE; v. 330, n. 2, p. 267-271, DEC 2010.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

It is generally assumed that the magnetic fields of millisecond pulsars (MSPs) are similar to 10(8) G. We argue that this may not be true and the fields may be appreciably greater. We present six evidences for this: (1) The similar to 10(8)G field estimate is based on magnetic dipole emission losses which is shown to be questionable; (2) The MSPs in low mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) are claimed to have < 10(11) G on the basis of a Rayleygh-Taylor instability accretion argument. We show that the accretion argument is questionable and the upper limit 10(11) G may be much higher; (3) Low magnetic field neutron stars have difficulty being produced in LMXBs; (4) MSPs may still be accreting indicating a much higher magnetic field; (5) The data that predict similar to 10(8) G for MSPs also predict ages on the order of, and greater than, ten billion years, which is much greater than normal pulsars. If the predicted ages are wrong, most likely the predicted similar to 10(8) G fields of MSPs are wrong; (6) When magnetic fields are measured directly with cyclotron lines in X-ray binaries, fields a parts per thousand << 10(8) G are indicated. Other scenarios should be investigated. One such scenario is the following. Over 85% of MSPs are confirmed members of a binary. It is possible that all MSPs are in large separation binaries having magnetic fields > 10(8) G with their magnetic dipole emission being balanced by low level accretion from their companions. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 06/56213-9 - New physics from space: formation and evolution of structures in the universe
• Grantee: Claudia Lucia Mendes de Oliveira
• Support type: Research Projects - Thematic Grants