Quantum FX in Magnetars ??

[Widdekind]

The magnetization, of a uniformly magnetized sphere, is derivable from [math]\vec{B} = \frac{2}{3} \mu_0 \vec{M}[/math] and [math]\vec{m} = \frac{4 \pi}{3} R^3 \vec{M}[/math]. Now, a NS exists, at the nuclear density of n_n = 1.4 x 10⁴⁴ m^-3; and, is composed of neutrons, whose magnetic moments are m_n = (-)0.97 x 10^-26 J T^-1. Thus, the quantum maximum volume magnetization density, of a NS, is M = m_n n_n. And so, from observed surface magnetic fields, we can define a 'magnetization fraction':

 

[math]B_{obs} \equiv f \left( \frac{2}{3} \mu_0 \right) m_n n_n \approx f \times 90 \; GT[/math]

Thus, the 'quantum critical' magnetic field, for NS, is ~10¹⁵ G. All observed young Magnetars have inferred field strengths of >10¹⁴ T, implying 'magnetization fractions' f > 10% (see following figure). Thus, a significant fraction, of ultra-magnetized NS, are 'unpaired neutrons', whose spins, and magnetic moments, are aligned, generating star-sized, nuclear-strong, magnetic fields.

 

Now, Magnetars generate immense quantum magnetic fields:

 

Magnetars, extreme pulsars with fields of 10¹⁵ gauss. Magnetars may be the source of gamma ray bursts, and provide the missing link between supernovae and gamma ray bursts (Science 2004).

And, combined with their relatively rapid rotation, they emanate intense 'magnetic dipole radiation'. These emanations come in bursts & flares, possibly when:

 

an unstable configuration of the [neutron] star's magnetic field triggers the eruptions. Once the magnetic field resumes a more stable configuration, the activity ceases and the star returns to quiet and dim emission (Science Daily 2009)...

 

The decay of the magnetic field leads to the production of steady and bursting X-ray emission through the heating of the neutron star crust or the acceleration of particles (Science Daily 2010).

Such a scenario sounds a little like a 'magnetic-field-line-reconnection' event, during a solar flare.

 

QUESTIONS: What could cause neutrons, which normally 'prefer' to be paired with spin-opposite partners, to spin-align, in Magnetars ? Could Quantum Spin-Flips, a manifestation of the quantum 'jump' phenomenon, account for the sudden 'glitch' transitions, and associated flares ? Perhaps NS are a little like ferro-magnets, with 'domains' of spin-aligned matter, which 'quantum jump' en masse, to more stable spin states ?

 

(source:

Kondratiev 2009

)

Note that, the SN, of super-massive stars, which produce NS, can also produce 'Pulsar planets', evidently from 'fall back' of material, which fails to escape the deep gravity wells, of the progenitor-and-resulting-remnant. Might, then, there be 'White Dwarf planets', orbiting other post-stellar remnants; or, is the necessary 'fall-back' of material characteristic only of the more intense gravity, which generates NS ?

[Widdekind]

(source:

Lecture 9

)

 

According to Duric's Advanced Astrophysics, under human-familiar kinds of conditions (low Temperature, Pressure, Density), neutrons spontaneously decay, into protons & electrons, b/c the rest-masses of those daughter particles, is less than that of the neutron. But, in NS, the ultra-compaction elevates the QM Fermi Energy [math]\frac{\har^2}{2 m \Delta X^2}[/math] to such a dramatic degree, that [math]E_F > \Delta M c^2[/math], and the decay reaction is driven in reverse.

 

Now, neutrons, whose quark content is ddu, have excited spin-and-magnetic-moment states, e.g. [math]\Delta^0[/url]. Could the ultra-compaction create "Delta stars" ?

[Widdekind]

Most of the mass, of normal atomic matter, is associated with the nucleons, in the atomic nuclei. And, within those nucleons, most of the mass (~930 of 940 MeV), is associated with the gluon 'glue' keeping the 'naked' quarks confined. Now, in an ultra-compact object, the extreme compressions, caused by gravity, could keep quarks confined, as a substitute for gluon Color Force interactions. And, with the Color Force, bond-energies decrease, with decreasing spatial separations, between the interacting quarks. Thus, if gravity 'substituted' for Color Force confinement, of quarks, in nucleons, in ultra-compact objects; then, Color Force interactions might decrease, dramatically decreasing the amount of mass-energy in quark-confining glue. To wit, might extreme gravitation compression, cause an effective reduction in mass ??