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Origin of Magnetic Fields in White Dwarfs and Neutron Stars

Nature Physical Science volume 231, pages 32–33 (1971)Cite this article

Abstract

THE origin of magnetic fields in degenerate matter is an interesting question at present because of the discovery of large magnetic fields in some white dwarfs1, 2, and because of the even higher fields of the order of the critical magnetic field Bc≡(m2c3/eh̄)=4.4×l013 G that are thought to exist in pulsars (accepting the rotating neutron star theory3). An equally intriguing question is why some—but not all4—white dwarfs are magnetic. The fact that some supernovae do not have associated pulsars might also lead one to speculate that perhaps the collapse of all supernovae does indeed result in a neutron star, but that all neutron stars are not magnetic.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70803

    R. F. O'CONNELL & K. M. ROUSSEL

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  1. R. F. O'CONNELL
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  2. K. M. ROUSSEL
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O'CONNELL, R., ROUSSEL, K. Origin of Magnetic Fields in White Dwarfs and Neutron Stars. Nature Physical Science 231, 32–33 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/physci231032a0

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