General relativistic simulations of black-hole–neutron-star mergers: Effects of magnetic fields

Zachariah B. Etienne, Yuk Tung Liu, Vasileios Paschalidis, and Stuart L. Shapiro
Phys. Rev. D 85, 064029 – Published 21 March 2012

Abstract

As a neutron star (NS) is tidally disrupted by a black hole (BH) companion at the end of a black-hole–neutron-star (BHNS) binary inspiral, its magnetic fields will be stretched and amplified. If sufficiently strong, these magnetic fields may impact the gravitational waveforms, merger evolution and mass of the remnant disk. Formation of highly-collimated magnetic field lines in the disk+spinning BH remnant may launch relativistic jets, providing the engine for a short-hard GRB. We analyze this scenario through fully general relativistic, magnetohydrodynamic BHNS simulations from inspiral through merger and disk formation. Different initial magnetic field configurations and strengths are chosen for the NS interior for both nonspinning and moderately spinning (aBH/MBH=0.75) BHs aligned with the orbital angular momentum. Only strong interior (Bmax1017G) initial magnetic fields in the NS significantly influence merger dynamics, enhancing the remnant disk mass by 100% and 40% in the nonspinning and spinning BH cases, respectively. However, detecting the imprint of even a strong magnetic field may be challenging for Advanced LIGO. Though there is no evidence of mass outflows or magnetic field collimation during the preliminary simulations we have performed, higher resolution, coupled with longer disk evolutions and different initial magnetic field configurations, may be required to definitively assess the possibility of BHNS binaries as short-hard gamma-ray burst progenitors.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
19 More
  • Received 30 November 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.85.064029

© 2012 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Zachariah B. Etienne*, Yuk Tung Liu, Vasileios Paschalidis, and Stuart L. Shapiro

  • Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA

  • *zetienne@illinois.edu
  • Also at Department of Astronomy and NCSA, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 85, Iss. 6 — 15 March 2012

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
CHORUS

Article Available via CHORUS

Download Accepted Manuscript
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review D

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×