Magnetic field generation by an inhomogeneous return current

Abstract

A new generation mechanism of the magnetic field in an inhomogeneous collisionless plasma with a beam component is proposed. We show that even though the current and charge neutralities are initially satisfied, the current neutrality is eventually violated if there is an inhomogeneity, so that the magnetic field is generated. By conducting ab initio two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, we demonstrate that the magnetic field is generated as expected. The new generation mechanism of the magnetic field can play an important role in the current universe because cosmic rays can be regarded as the beam component in the astrophysical plasma. We propose that the first cosmic rays generate the magnetic field with a large scale at the redshift of z ~ 20.

6 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in ApJL

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Cited by in corpus (9)

• The Gamma-Ray Window to Intergalactic Magnetism
• Non-ideal magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the first star formation: the effect of ambipolar diffusion
• The Biermann battery driven by a streaming plasma
• The Intrinsic Gamma-Ray Spectrum of TXS 0506+056: Intergalactic Propagation Effects
• Self-discharge by streaming cosmic rays
• Magnetogenesis by Wave-Driven Momentum Exchange
• Resistive Heating Induced by Streaming Cosmic Rays Around a Galaxy in the Early Universe
• Biermann Battery Powered by Resistive Heating Induced by Cosmic Ray Streaming
• Magnetic field generation by charge exchange in a supernova remnant in the early universe