Electrodynamics and Dissipation in the Binary Magnetosphere of Premerger Neutron Stars
We investigate the energy release in the interacting magnetospheres of binary neutron stars (BNSs) with global 3D force-free electrodynamics simulations. The system dynamics depend on the inclinations χ _1 and χ _2 of the stars’ magnetic dipole moments relative to their orbital angular momentum. The...
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IOP Publishing
2025-01-01
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| Series: | The Astrophysical Journal Letters |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/adb5fd |
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| author | Jens F. Mahlmann Andrei M. Beloborodov |
| author_facet | Jens F. Mahlmann Andrei M. Beloborodov |
| author_sort | Jens F. Mahlmann |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We investigate the energy release in the interacting magnetospheres of binary neutron stars (BNSs) with global 3D force-free electrodynamics simulations. The system dynamics depend on the inclinations χ _1 and χ _2 of the stars’ magnetic dipole moments relative to their orbital angular momentum. The simplest aligned configuration ( χ _1 = χ _2 = 0 ^∘ ) has no magnetic field lines connecting the two stars. Remarkably, it still develops separatrix current sheets warping around each star and a dissipative region at the interface of the two magnetospheres. A Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH)–type instability drives significant dissipation at the magnetospheric interface, generating local Alfvénic turbulence and escaping fast magnetosonic waves. Binaries with inclined magnetospheres release energy in two ways: via KH instability at the interface and via magnetic reconnection flares in the twisted flux bundles connecting the companions. Outgoing compressive waves occur in a broad range of BNS parameters, possibly developing shocks and sourcing fast radio bursts. We discuss implications for X-ray and radio precursors of BNS mergers. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2c730ff21d43493b85624092d7dadfcb |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2041-8205 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | IOP Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Astrophysical Journal Letters |
| spelling | doaj-art-2c730ff21d43493b85624092d7dadfcb2025-08-20T02:11:05ZengIOP PublishingThe Astrophysical Journal Letters2041-82052025-01-019811L1710.3847/2041-8213/adb5fdElectrodynamics and Dissipation in the Binary Magnetosphere of Premerger Neutron StarsJens F. Mahlmann0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5349-7116Andrei M. Beloborodov1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5660-3175Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Pupin Hall, Columbia University , New York, NY 10027, USA ; jens.mahlmann@columbia.edu; Department of Physics & Astronomy, Wilder Laboratory, Dartmouth College , Hanover, NH 03755, USADepartment of Physics, Pupin Hall, Columbia University , New York, NY 10027, USA; Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics , Garching, 85741, GermanyWe investigate the energy release in the interacting magnetospheres of binary neutron stars (BNSs) with global 3D force-free electrodynamics simulations. The system dynamics depend on the inclinations χ _1 and χ _2 of the stars’ magnetic dipole moments relative to their orbital angular momentum. The simplest aligned configuration ( χ _1 = χ _2 = 0 ^∘ ) has no magnetic field lines connecting the two stars. Remarkably, it still develops separatrix current sheets warping around each star and a dissipative region at the interface of the two magnetospheres. A Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH)–type instability drives significant dissipation at the magnetospheric interface, generating local Alfvénic turbulence and escaping fast magnetosonic waves. Binaries with inclined magnetospheres release energy in two ways: via KH instability at the interface and via magnetic reconnection flares in the twisted flux bundles connecting the companions. Outgoing compressive waves occur in a broad range of BNS parameters, possibly developing shocks and sourcing fast radio bursts. We discuss implications for X-ray and radio precursors of BNS mergers.https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/adb5fdBinary pulsarsMagnetic fieldsRadiative processesPlasma astrophysicsMagnetohydrodynamical simulations |
| spellingShingle | Jens F. Mahlmann Andrei M. Beloborodov Electrodynamics and Dissipation in the Binary Magnetosphere of Premerger Neutron Stars The Astrophysical Journal Letters Binary pulsars Magnetic fields Radiative processes Plasma astrophysics Magnetohydrodynamical simulations |
| title | Electrodynamics and Dissipation in the Binary Magnetosphere of Premerger Neutron Stars |
| title_full | Electrodynamics and Dissipation in the Binary Magnetosphere of Premerger Neutron Stars |
| title_fullStr | Electrodynamics and Dissipation in the Binary Magnetosphere of Premerger Neutron Stars |
| title_full_unstemmed | Electrodynamics and Dissipation in the Binary Magnetosphere of Premerger Neutron Stars |
| title_short | Electrodynamics and Dissipation in the Binary Magnetosphere of Premerger Neutron Stars |
| title_sort | electrodynamics and dissipation in the binary magnetosphere of premerger neutron stars |
| topic | Binary pulsars Magnetic fields Radiative processes Plasma astrophysics Magnetohydrodynamical simulations |
| url | https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/adb5fd |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jensfmahlmann electrodynamicsanddissipationinthebinarymagnetosphereofpremergerneutronstars AT andreimbeloborodov electrodynamicsanddissipationinthebinarymagnetosphereofpremergerneutronstars |