DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS DISSERTATION DEFENSE: Andrew Sullivan

Public zoom link:  https://stanford.zoom.us/j/95237891936?pwd=Tc3o5BCUI07MoKiOBGmj6nXvAqzZFg.1

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Title:  Weather Vanes for the Universe's Most Extreme Storms: Probing the Interiors of Relativistic Outflows Launched by Neutron Stars and Black Holes

Abstract: Rapidly spinning neutron stars and black holes produce the most extreme storms in the universe. These storms manifest as powerful relativistic outflows - winds and jets of plasma which travel very close to the speed of light. Relativistic outflows represent natural laboratories for the universe's most exotic physical conditions, as they contain extremely strong magnetic fields and highly energetic plasma. In this talk, I will present recent work towards understanding relativistic outflows through studies of particular neutron star and black hole systems. This talk will focus on two distinct types of astrophysical systems with outflows: 1) spider pulsars - systems where a pulsating neutron star is orbited by a nearby star, so its outflowing pulsar wind crashes into material blown off the star and 2) extragalactic radio sources - active galactic nuclei whose central supermassive black holes launch powerful relativistic jets that produce bright radio emission. From observing and modeling these unique systems, we can probe the interiors of relativistic outflows. I will discuss how we can use these systems as weather vanes to study the structure, magnetic field strength and geometry, and plasma properties of these extreme storms.