Generation of Density Perturbations by Primordial Magnetic Fields

Details Generation of Density Perturbations by Primordial Magnetic Fields Generation of Density Perturbations by Primordial Magnetic Fields

1994-12-20

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9412070v2

Astrophys.J. 468 (1996) 28

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Final version to appear ApJ, August 1996. Significant changes in the formal approach but similar conclusions. 47 pages, plain

Scientific paper

10.1086/177667

We study the generation and evolution of density perturbations and peculiar velocities due to primordial magnetic fields. We assume that a random magnetic field was present before recombination and follow the field's effect on the baryon fluid starting at recombination. We find that magnetic fields generate growing density perturbations on length scales larger than the magnetic Jeans length, $\lambda_B$, and damped oscillations for scales smaller than $\lambda_B$. For small wavenumbers $k$ (large length scales), we find the magnetic field-induced density power spectrum generally scales as $k^4$. We derive the magnetic Jeans length explicitly by including the back--reaction of the velocity field onto the magnetic field by decomposing the magnetic field into a force-free background field and perturbations about it. Depending on the strength of the magnetic field and the ultraviolet cutoff of its spectrum, structure can be generated on small or intermediate scales early in the history of the universe. For a present {\it rms} magnetic field of $10^{-10}$ G on intergalactic scales, we find that perturbations on galactic scales could have gone non--linear at $z \simeq 6$. Finally, we discuss how primordial magnetic fields affect scenarios of structure formation with non--baryonic dark matter.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Generation of Density Perturbations by Primordial Magnetic Fields does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Generation of Density Perturbations by Primordial Magnetic Fields, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Generation of Density Perturbations by Primordial Magnetic Fields will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-49894