Non-linear magnetic field decay in neutron stars - Theory and observations

There exists both theoretical and observational evidence that the magnetic field decay in neutron stars may proceed in a pronounced non-linear way during a certain episode of the neutron star's life. In the presence of a strong magnetic field the Hall-drift dominates the field evolution in the crust and/or the superfluid core of neutron stars. Analysing observations of P and (P) over dot for sufficiently old isolated pulsars we gain strong hints for a significantly non-linear magnetic field decay. Under certain conditions with respect to the geometry and strength of a large-scale magnetic background field an instability is shown to occur which rapidly raises small-scale magnetic field modes. Their growth rates increase with the background field strength and may reach similar to10(4) times the ohmic decay rate. Consequences for the rotational and thermal evolution as well as for the cracking of the crust of neutron stars are discussed.