Magnetized Neutron Star Mergers and Gravitational Wave Signals

Authors:
  • MAMatthew Anderson
    Matthew Anderson
  • EHEric W. Hirschmann
    Eric W. Hirschmann
  • LLLuis Lehner
    Luis Lehner
  • SLSteven L. Liebling
    Steven L. Liebling
  • PMPatrick M. Motl
    Patrick M. Motl
  • DNDavid Neilsen
    David Neilsen
  • CPCarlos Palenzuela
    Carlos Palenzuela
  • JTJoel E. Tohline
    Joel E. Tohline
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Abstract
We investigate the influence of magnetic fields upon the dynamics of and resulting gravitational waves from a binary neutron star merger in full general relativity coupled to ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). We consider two merger scenarios, one where the stars begin with initially aligned poloidal magnetic fields and one with no magnetic field. Both mergers result in a strongly differentially rotating object. In comparison to the non-magnetized scenario, the aligned magnetic fields delay the final merger of the two stars. During and after merger we observe phenomena driven by the magnetic field, including Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities in shear layers, winding of the field lines, and transition from poloidal to toroidal fields. These effects not only produce electromagnetic radiation, but also can have a strong influence on the gravitational waves. Thus, there are promising prospects for studying such systems with both types of waves.