Black holes are among the most active in the sky. They produce some of the highest-energy radiation ever observed, and scientists have been perplexed over the physics that underlies their energetic emissions.
A new theory about how magnetic energy can be quickly released with explosives into charged particles has been proposed by an assistant professor and a physics major.
Solar flares and the Northern Lights can be set off by similar magnetic explosions. Matthew Goodbred '23 says they can be observed wherever charged gases are found.
The ion and electrons in a flow are usually separated. A phenomenon known as magnetic reconnection occurs when lines that point in opposite directions come together.
An explanation for the process that speeds up the rate of reconnection in solar flares was presented earlier this year. Goodbred wanted to look at the mechanism of reconnection in some of the densest objects in the universe, which are formed when a massive star runs out of fuel and collapses.
"Astrophysical environments, particularly around neutron stars and black holes, are special because their magnetic fields are so strong," says Goodbred, who began working with Liu remotely during the Pandemic.
The electrons and their antimatter have the same mass. He says that the physics is different in the two scenarios because the solar plasma is made up of protons and electrons.
Goodbred looked at the energy flow at the reconnection site and came up with a mathematical description. When there are a lot of fast moving particles that can carry electrical current, the magnetic field reversal is possible.
The current carriers taking away the energy creates a pressure void in the surrounding magnetic field that sets the stage for reconnection to proceed quickly.
The first theory derived from basic physics laws that explains the fast reconnection rate in such systems was provided by this new derivation.
The models predictions were supported by simulations.
When applied to astrophysical situations, where it's hard to imagine the scales and the power of these explosive events taking place all across the universe, Goodbred finds reconnection very fascinating.
Goodbred, who grew up near Nashville, plans to take a year off after graduating to enjoy the outdoors as he prepares to apply to graduate school and pursue a PhD.
He says it's satisfying to narrow down the possibilities and come up with a solution.
Matthew Goodbred is the author of the First-Principles Theory of the Relativistic Magnetic Reconnection Rate. There is a book titled "PhysRevLett.129.265101."
Journal information: Physical Review Letters
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