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Ferromagnetism in White Dwarfs

Nature Physical Science volume 238, pages 56–57 (1972)Cite this article

Abstract

THE discovery of magnetic fields of up to ≃107 G in two white dwarfs1,2 has stimulated interest in the magnetic properties of high density matter. Discussion largely centres around the theory of Landau Orbital Ferromagnetism3–6 (LOFER), proposed by Canuto et al.3,7, which states that a gas of free electrons can, through its magnetic moment, self consistently maintain a magnetic field B, of order 107−108 G at typical white dwarf densities, even after dissipation has extinguished any external sources (charge drifts) of the magnetic field. Similarly the 1012 G fields expected for pulsars on theoretical grounds8 are comparable with the 1012−1013 G values predicted by LOFER theory for objects at neutron star densities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lehrstuhl Theoretische Astrophysik Universität, D-69, Heidelberg

    H. POHL & J. SCHMID-BURGK

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  1. H. POHL
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  2. J. SCHMID-BURGK
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POHL, H., SCHMID-BURGK, J. Ferromagnetism in White Dwarfs. Nature Physical Science 238, 56–57 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/physci238056a0

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