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Are cluster magnetic fields primordial?

Robi Banerjee¹, Karsten Jedamzik

¹Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4M1.

Physical Review Letters

|February 3, 2004

Summary

Primordial magnetic fields, generated during cosmic phase transitions, can survive to the present. These early magnetic fields may explain the strength and origin of magnetic fields observed in galaxy clusters.

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Area of Science:

Cosmic Magnetogenesis
Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics
Cosmology

Background:

The origin and evolution of cosmic magnetic fields remain a significant open question in astrophysics.
Understanding the early universe's magnetic field strength is crucial for galaxy cluster formation models.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the evolution of magnetic fields from the early universe to the present day.
To determine if primordial magnetic fields can account for observed magnetic field strengths in galaxy clusters.

Main Methods:

A detailed, fully nonlinear numerical and analytical investigation of magnetic field evolution.
Incorporation of assumptions about magnetogenesis efficiency during cosmic phase transitions.
Building upon prior numerical simulations of magnetic field evolution during cluster gravitational collapse.

Main Results:

Surprisingly strong magnetic fields (10^-13 - 10^-11 G) on small scales (100 pc - 10 kpc) can survive from early cosmic epochs.
Pre-collapse magnetic fields of approximately 4 x 10^-12 G on small scales are sufficient to produce galaxy clusters with acceptable Faraday rotation measures.

Conclusions:

Primordial magnetic fields generated during cosmic phase transitions are a plausible origin for the magnetic fields observed in galaxy clusters.
The survival of these early magnetic fields suggests a primordial origin for cluster magnetic fields.

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