Magnetic Field Generation by an Inhomogeneous Return Current

Abstract

A new generation mechanism of the magnetic field in an inhomogeneous collisionless plasma with a beam component is proposed. We show that even though the current and charge neutralities are initially satisfied, the current neutrality is eventually violated if there is an inhomogeneity, so that the magnetic field is generated. By conducting ab initio two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, we demonstrate that the magnetic field is generated as expected. The new generation mechanism of the magnetic field can play an important role in the current universe because cosmic rays can be regarded as the beam component in the astrophysical plasma. We propose that the first cosmic rays generate the magnetic field with a large scale at the redshift of z  ≈ 20.