Hall effect in neutron star crusts: Evolution, endpoint and dependence on initial conditions

Abstract

We present new simulations of the evolution of axially symmetric magnetic fields in neutron star crusts under the influence of the Hall effect and subdominant Ohmic dissipation. In the Hall effect, differential rotation of the electron fluid generates toroidal field by winding of the poloidal field. For this reason, we focus on the influence of the initial choice of the electron angular velocity profile on the subsequent and long-term magnetic evolution. Whereas previous simulations have generally chosen angular velocities increasing outwards, corresponding to the lowest order Ohmic mode in the crust; a more realistic choice is an angular velocity decreasing outwards, corresponding to the magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium field that is likely present at the time of crust formation. We find that the evolution passes through three basic phases. The early evolution is a response to the initial conditions. During the second phase, the field consists of poloidal and toroidal components which eventually relax to an isorotation state in which the angular velocity of the electrons becomes constant along poloidal magnetic field lines, causing Hall evolution to saturate. In the third phase, the field dissipates slowly while maintaining isorotation. We discuss the implications for the long-term field structure and observable properties of isolated neutron stars. © 2013 The Authors Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society.