Magnetic field evolution in feedback-dominated galaxies

Abstract

Over the last decade, magnetic fields (B-fields) have become a common ingredient in galaxy formation simulations. Although seemingly unimportant in matching observational constraints such as the $M_{\ast }-M_{\mathrm{halo}}$ relations, the B-field influences the circumgalactic medium (CGM) gas and determines cosmic ray (CR) propagation, making it an indispensable non-thermal component. Nevertheless, the intricate physics of B-fields, particularly how they evolve to the observed $\mu$G-level field, remains largely elusive. In this work, we systematically address the evolution of B-fields over cosmic time using the FIRE-2 (Feedback In Realistic Environments) magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) simulations. We present results for both Milky Way (MW)-mass and dwarf galaxies, with and without CRs. We find that CRs have little impact on B-field properties, while the halo mass controls the saturated B-field strength at $z\sim 0$. However, all runs reach a halo-independent magnetic-to-turbulent ratio of $f_{\mathrm{B}}\sim 1-10\%$, though the methods used to measure turbulence could affect this value. We identify a three-stage evolutionary course for the B-field in tandem with galaxy formation: i. expansion, ii. amplification, and iii. saturation. The feature is universal, though the timings depend on the initial location and star formation history of the gas. Flux-freezing is the predominant driver for the first and last stages, exhibiting power relations $B\sim {\rho }^{2/3}$ and ${\rho }^{1/2}$, although the latter could also be explained by dynamical and energetic equilibria. The intermediate amplification stage, potentially driven by ``dynamos'', is fuelled by structure formation, feedback, and gas turbulence. We conjecture a numerically triggered, turbulence-driven amplification process to explain this phenomenon.

17 pages, of which 12 are the main text, with 8 figures and 1 table. Submitted to MNRAS. Comments welcome!