Magnetohydrodynamic Stability and Evolution of Magnetars

Explore the fascinating world of magnetars in this theoretical physics colloquium presented by Dr. Peter Rau from the University of Washington. Delve into the magnetohydrodynamic stability and evolution of these strongly-magnetized neutron stars, focusing on the effects of electron quantization into Landau levels. Examine the implications for thermodynamic and transport properties, magnetic domain formation, and magneto-thermal evolution of magnetar crusts. Learn about stability considerations, including the equation of state, differential magnetic susceptibility, and canonical energy approach. Investigate the impact of temperature suppression, surface heating, and enhanced dissipation on magnetar evolution. Gain insights from numerical simulations and engage with current advances in theoretical physics through this interactive presentation, which was part of a colloquium series hosted by Prof. Igor Shovkovy at Arizona State University.