3D MHD simulations of magnetic field evolution and radio polarization of barred galaxies

Aims. We study numerically the large-scale gas and magnetic field evolution of barred galaxies in the gravitational potential of a disk, bulge, halo, and bar. We solve non-linear MHD equations including the back-reaction of the magnetic field to the gas. We do not take into account any dynamo process. Methods. We apply the numerical MHD code to calculate the model of the galaxy in three dimensions. We construct realistic maps of high-frequency (Faraday rotation free) polarized radio emission on the basis of the simulated magnetic fields. The polarization model includes the effects of projection and limited resolution. Results. The main result is that our modeled polarization maps resemble the radio polarization structures observed in barred galaxies. The modeled polarization B-vectors distribution along the bar and between spiral arms resembles the observed topology of the magnetic field in barred galaxies. Our calculations for several different rotational velocities and sound speeds give the same result we got in our previous earlier published model. The reason of this behaviour is the dynamical evolution of the bar that causes gas to form spiral waves going radially outward. A gaseous spiral arms in turn generates magnetic ones, which live much longer in the inter-arm disk space than the gaseous pattern

The effect of supernova rate on the magnetic field evolution in barred galaxies

Context. For the first time, our magnetohydrodynamical numerical calculations provide results for a three-dimensional model of barred galaxies involving a cosmic-ray driven dynamo process that depends on star formation rates. Furthermore, we argue that the cosmic-ray driven dynamo can account for a number of magnetic features in barred galaxies, such as magnetic arms observed along the gaseous arms, magnetic arms in the inter-arm regions, polarized emission that is at the strongest in the central part of the galaxy, where the bar is situated, polarized emission that forms ridges coinciding with the dust lanes along the leading edges of the bar, as well as their very strong total radio intensity. Aims. Our numerical model probes what kind of physical processes could be responsible for the magnetic field topology observed in barred galaxies (modes, etc.). We compare our modelled results directly with observations, constructing models of high-frequency (Faraday rotation-free) polarized radio emission maps out of the simulated magnetic field and cosmic ray pattern in our modeled galaxy. We also take the effects of projection into account as well as the limited resolution. Methods. We applied global 3D numerical calculations of a cosmic-ray driven dynamo in barred galaxies with different physical input parameters such as the supernova (SN) rate. Results. Our simulation results lead to the modelled magnetic field structure similar to the one observed on the radio maps of barred galaxies. Moreover, they cast new light on a number of properties in barred and spiral galaxies, such as fast exponential growth of the total magnetic energy to the present values. The quadrupole modes of magnetic field are often identified in barred galaxies, but the dipole modes (e.g., in NGC 4631) are found very seldom. In our simulations the quadrupole configuration dominates and the dipole configuration only appears once in the case of model S100, apparently as a consequence of the choice of the random number seed. Synthetic radio maps of our models display X-type structure similar to what is observed in real galaxies. Conclusions. We conclude that a cosmic-ray driven dynamo process in barred galaxies can amplify magnetic fields efficiently. The fastest rate of magnetic field increase is 195 yr for a SN frequency of 1/50 yr-1.The obtained strength of magnetic field corresponds to the observational values (a few in spiral arms). The polarization and rotation measure maps also agree with observations. We found the effect of shifting magnetic arms in 4 models (out of the sample of 5)

Cosmic ray driven dynamo in barred and ringed galaxies

We study the global evolution of the magnetic field and interstellar medium (ISM) of the barred and ringed galaxies in the presence of non-axisymmetric components of the potential, i.e. the bar and/or the oval perturbations. The magnetohydrodynamical dynamo is driven by cosmic rays (CR), which are continuously supplied to the disk by supernova (SN) remnants. Additionally, weak, dipolar and randomly oriented magnetic field is injected to the galactic disk during SN explosions. To compare our results directly with the observed properties of galaxies we construct realistic maps of high-frequency polarized radio emission. The main result is that CR driven dynamo can amplify weak magnetic fields up to few $\mu$G within few Gyr in barred and ringed galaxies. What is more, the modelled magnetic field configuration resembles maps of the polarized intensity observed in barred and ringed galaxies

Formation of gaseous arms in barred galaxies with dynamically important magnetic field : 3D MHD simulations

We present results of three-dimensional nonlinear MHD simulations of a large-scale magnetic field and its evolution inside a barred galaxy with the back reaction of the magnetic field on the gas. The model does not consider the dynamo process. To compare our modeling results with observations, we construct maps of the high-frequency (Faraday-rotation-free) polarized radio emission on the basis of simulated magnetic fields. The model accounts for the effects of projection and the limited resolution of real observations. We performed 3D MHD numerical simulations of barred galaxies and polarization maps. The main result is that the modeled magnetic field configurations resemble maps of the polarized intensity observed in barred galaxies. They exhibit polarization vectors along the bar and arms forming coherent structures similar to the observed ones. In the paper, we also explain the previously unsolved issue of discrepancy between the velocity and magnetic field configurations in this type of galaxies. The dynamical influence of the bar causes gas to form spiral waves that travel outwards. Each gaseous spiral arm is accompanied by a magnetic counterpart, which separates and survives in the inter-arm region. Because of a strong compression, shear of non-axisymmetric bar flows and differential rotation, the total energy of modeled magnetic field grows constantly, while the azimuthal flux grows slightly until 0.05\Gyr and then saturates.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Gaseous Structures in Barred Galaxies: Effects of the Bar Strength

Using hydrodynamic simulations, we investigate the physical properties of gaseous substructures in barred galaxies and their relationships with the bar strength. The gaseous medium is assumed to be isothermal and unmagnetized. The bar potential is modeled as a Ferrers prolate with index n. To explore situations with differing bar strength, we vary the bar mass fbar relative to the spheroidal component as well as its aspect ratio. We derive expressions as functions of fbar and the aspect ratio for the bar strength Qb and the radius r(Qb) where the maximum bar torque occurs. When applied to observations, these expressions suggest that bars in real galaxies are most likely to have fbar=0.25-0.5 and n<1. Dust lanes approximately follow one of x1-orbits and tend to be more straight under a stronger and more elongated bar, but are insensitive to the presence of self-gravity. A nuclear ring of a conventional x2 type forms only when the bar is not so massive or elongated. The radius of an x2-type ring is generally smaller than the inner Lindblad resonance, decreases systematically with increasing Qb, and slightly larger when self-gravity is included. This evidences that the ring position is not determined by the resonance but by the amount of angular momentum loss at dust-lane shocks. Nuclear spirals exist only when the ring is of the x2-type and sufficiently large in size. Unlike the other features, nuclear spirals are transient in that they start out as being tightly-wound and weak, and then due to the nonlinear effect unwind and become stronger until turning into shocks, with an unwinding rate higher for larger Qb. The mass inflow rate to the galaxy center is found to be less than 0.01 Msun/yr for models with Qb<0.2, while becoming larger than 0.1 Msun/yr when Qb>0.2 and self-gravity is included.Comment: 24 pages, 17 figures, 5 tables; Accepted for publication in the ApJ; Version with full-resolution figures available at http://mirzam.snu.ac.kr/~wkim/Bar/barHDn.pd

Two-Dimensional Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations of Barred Galaxies

Barred galaxies are known to possess magnetic fields that may affect the properties of bar substructures such as dust lanes and nuclear rings. We use two-dimensional high-resolution magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations to investigate the effects of magnetic fields on the formation and evolution of such substructures as well as on the mass inflow rates to the galaxy center. The gaseous medium is assumed to be infinitesimally-thin, isothermal, non-self-gravitating, and threaded by initially uniform, azimuthal magnetic fields. We find that there exists an outermost x1-orbit relative to which gaseous responses to an imposed stellar bar potential are completely different between inside and outside. Inside this orbit, gas is shocked into dust lanes and infalls to form a nuclear ring. Magnetic fields are compressed in dust lanes, reducing their peak density. Magnetic stress removes further angular momentum of the gas at the shocks, temporarily causing the dust lanes to bend into an 'L' shape and eventually leading to a smaller and more centrally distributed ring than in unmagnetized models. The mass inflow rates in magnetized models correspondingly become larger, by more than two orders of magnitude when the initial fields have an equipartition value with thermal energy, than in the unmagnetized counterparts. Outside the outermost x1-orbit, on the other hand, an MHD dynamo due to the combined action of the bar potential and background shear operates near the corotation and bar-end regions, efficiently amplifying magnetic fields. The amplified fields shape into trailing magnetic arms with strong fields and low density. The base of the magnetic arms has a thin layer in which magnetic fields with opposite polarity reconnect via a tearing-mode instability. This produces numerous magnetic islands with large density which propagate along the arms to turn the outer disk into a highly chaotic state.Comment: 22 pages, 19 figures, 3 tables; Accepted for publication in the ApJ; Version with full-resolution figures available at http://mirzam.snu.ac.kr/~wkim/Bar/mhdbar.pd

Fast Magnetic Reconnection and Energetic Particle Acceleration

Our numerical simulations show that the reconnection of magnetic field becomes fast in the presence of weak turbulence in the way consistent with the Lazarian and Vishniac (1999) model of fast reconnection. We trace particles within our numerical simulations and show that the particles can be efficiently accelerated via the first order Fermi acceleration. We discuss the acceleration arising from reconnection as a possible origin of the anomalous cosmic rays measured by Voyagers.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures, submitted to Planetary and Space Scienc

Simulations of galactic dynamos

We review our current understanding of galactic dynamo theory, paying particular attention to numerical simulations both of the mean-field equations and the original three-dimensional equations relevant to describing the magnetic field evolution for a turbulent flow. We emphasize the theoretical difficulties in explaining non-axisymmetric magnetic fields in galaxies and discuss the observational basis for such results in terms of rotation measure analysis. Next, we discuss nonlinear theory, the role of magnetic helicity conservation and magnetic helicity fluxes. This leads to the possibility that galactic magnetic fields may be bi-helical, with opposite signs of helicity and large and small length scales. We discuss their observational signatures and close by discussing the possibilities of explaining the origin of primordial magnetic fields.Comment: 28 pages, 15 figure, to appear in Lecture Notes in Physics "Magnetic fields in diffuse media", Eds. E. de Gouveia Dal Pino and A. Lazaria

Theory and Applications of Non-Relativistic and Relativistic Turbulent Reconnection

Realistic astrophysical environments are turbulent due to the extremely high Reynolds numbers. Therefore, the theories of reconnection intended for describing astrophysical reconnection should not ignore the effects of turbulence on magnetic reconnection. Turbulence is known to change the nature of many physical processes dramatically and in this review we claim that magnetic reconnection is not an exception. We stress that not only astrophysical turbulence is ubiquitous, but also magnetic reconnection itself induces turbulence. Thus turbulence must be accounted for in any realistic astrophysical reconnection setup. We argue that due to the similarities of MHD turbulence in relativistic and non-relativistic cases the theory of magnetic reconnection developed for the non-relativistic case can be extended to the relativistic case and we provide numerical simulations that support this conjecture. We also provide quantitative comparisons of the theoretical predictions and results of numerical experiments, including the situations when turbulent reconnection is self-driven, i.e. the turbulence in the system is generated by the reconnection process itself. We show how turbulent reconnection entails the violation of magnetic flux freezing, the conclusion that has really far reaching consequences for many realistically turbulent astrophysical environments. In addition, we consider observational testing of turbulent reconnection as well as numerous implications of the theory. The former includes the Sun and solar wind reconnection, while the latter include the process of reconnection diffusion induced by turbulent reconnection, the acceleration of energetic particles, bursts of turbulent reconnection related to black hole sources as well as gamma ray bursts. Finally, we explain why turbulent reconnection cannot be explained by turbulent resistivity or derived through the mean field approach.Comment: 66 pages, 24 figures, a chapter of the book "Magnetic Reconnection - Concepts and Applications", editors W. Gonzalez, E. N. Parke