Magnetic Field Evolution in an Accreting White Dwarf
Astrophysics
2007-05-23 v1
Abstract
I discuss the evolution of the magnetic field of an accreting white dwarf. I show that the ohmic decay time is 7-12 billion years for the lowest order decay mode, almost independent of core temperature or mass. I then show that the magnetic field structure is substantially altered by accretion if the white dwarf mass increases at a rate more than 1-5 x 10^(-10) solar masses per year. I discuss the implications of this result for observed systems, including the possible evolutionary link between AM Hers and intermediate polars.
Cite
@article{arxiv.astro-ph/0209198,
title = {Magnetic Field Evolution in an Accreting White Dwarf},
author = {Andrew Cumming},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/0209198},
year = {2007}
}
Comments
4 pages, 1 figure, to appear in the proceedings of the 13th European Workshop on White Dwarfs