Cosmological evolution of large-scale magnetic fields in galaxies and the intergalactic medium

• Applicant: Dr. Rainer Beck
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: from 2009 to 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 126526691

• Final Report Year: 2012

Final Report Abstract

We developed an evolutionary model for magnetic fields in star-forming disk galaxies. We simulated the magnetic field distribution and computed maps of the total and polarized synchrotron emission and Faraday rotation measures for disk galaxies at various ages and for a wide range of radio frequencies. We used a standard dynamo model including the effect of star-formation by implementing a continuous injection of turbulent fields. Large-scale fields appear after 1-2 Gyr galaxy age. Long-lived large-scale field reversals may exist for certain model parameters. The predictions of our models can be tested with upcoming and future radio telescopes.

Publications

• (2009). Evolution of magnetic fields in galaxies and future observational tests with the Square Kilometre Array. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 494(1), 21-32
  Arshakian, T. G.; Beck, R.; Krause, Marita & Sokoloff, D.
  
• 2009, in: Cosmic Magnetic Fields: From Planets, to Stars and Galaxies, eds. K.G. Strassmeier et al., p. 3
  Beck, R.
  
• 2009, Rev. Mex. AyA, 36, 1
  Beck, R.
  
• (2010). Radio-optical scrutiny of compact AGN: correlations between properties of pc-scale jets and optical nuclear emission. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 520, A62
  Arshakian, T. G.; Torrealba, J.; Chavushyan, V. H.; Ros, E.; Lister, M. L.; Cruz-González, I. & Zensus, J. A.
  
• (2010). Small-scale dynamo action during the formation of the first stars and galaxies-I. The ideal MHD limit. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 522, A115
  Schleicher, D. R. G.; Banerjee, R.; Sur, S.; Arshakian, T. G.; Klessen, R. S.; Beck, R. & Spaans, M.
  
• 2010, Magnetism in Nearby Galaxies, Prospects with the SKA, and Synergies with the E-ELT, in: Astronomy with Megastructures. Joint Science with E-ELT and SKA, eds. I. Hook et al.
  Beck, R.
  
• Magnetic fields in nearby galaxies: Prospects with future radio telescope. 2009, PoS(PRA2009)046
  Beck, Rainer
  
• Towards a New Era of Observing Cosmic Magnetic Fields. 2010, PoS(ISKAF2010)003
  Beck, Rainer
  
• (2011). Magnetic fields during primordial star formation
  Schleicher, D. R. G., Sur, S., Banerjee, R., Arshakian, T. G., Beck, R., et al.
  
• (2011). Modeling the total and polarized emission in evolving galaxies:“Spotty” magnetic structures. Astronomische Nachrichten, 332(5), 524-536
  Arshakian, T.G.; Stepanov, R.; Beck, R.; Krause, M. & Sokoloff, D.
  
• (2011). Optimum frequency band for radio polarization observations. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 418(4), 2336-2342
  Arshakian, Tigran G. & Beck, Rainer
  
• (2012). Radio-optical-gamma-ray properties of MOJAVE AGN detected by Fermi/LAT. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 537, A32
  Arshakian, T. G.; León-Tavares, J.; Böttcher, M.; Torrealba, J.; Chavushyan, V. H.; Lister, M. L.; Ros, E. & Zensus, J. A.