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In modern astrophysics and theoretical physics, one of the most challenging and fundamental questions concerns the nature of the vacuum. For a long time, vacuum was considered simply empty space. However, modern physical theories suggest that it possesses complex physical properties. Under extremely strong magnetic fields, the vacuum can behave like a special medium capable of influencing the propagation of electromagnetic waves. One of the most remarkable manifestations of this behavior is vacuum birefringence, a phenomenon in which electromagnetic radiation splits into two waves with different polarizations.

This phenomenon is the focus of a scientific research project conducted by scientists at 91��ý Kazakh National University. The project is dedicated to the numerical investigation of vacuum birefringence in the magnetic fields of magnetars within the framework of nonlinear vacuum electrodynamics and general relativity. Such studies provide an opportunity to test fundamental theoretical predictions of modern physics and deepen our understanding of processes occurring under the most extreme astrophysical conditions.

Magnetars are a special class of neutron stars and are considered to possess the strongest magnetic fields in the Universe. The strength of their magnetic fields can reach values of approximately 10^14–10^15 gauss. For comparison, the Earth's magnetic field is only about a few tens of microtesla. Under such extreme conditions, the vacuum begins to exhibit nonlinear properties. As a result, electromagnetic waves can propagate differently depending on their polarization, leading to the phenomenon of vacuum birefringence.

Recreating such intense magnetic fields in laboratory conditions on Earth is practically impossible. Therefore, magnetars serve as natural cosmic laboratories that allow scientists to investigate the effects of nonlinear electrodynamics of the vacuum. Studying how light propagates near these objects makes it possible to test fundamental theoretical models of modern physics.

The scientific project carried out by the research team at 91��ý Kazakh National University focuses on numerical modeling of electromagnetic wave propagation in the magnetospheres of magnetars. Special attention is given to the interaction of radiation with dipole and quadrupole magnetic fields, as well as to the influence of spacetime curvature on electromagnetic wave propagation.

The project is led by Dr. M.E. Abishev, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. The research team includes scientists working in nonlinear electrodynamics, relativistic astrophysics, and cosmology, as well as young researchers and specialists in computational modeling. The interdisciplinary nature of the project brings together methods from theoretical physics, astrophysics, and high-performance computing to address complex scientific challenges.

The main goal of the project is to investigate vacuum birefringence that occurs when electromagnetic waves pass through the magnetic fields of magnetars and to identify astrophysical objects where this effect can potentially be observed using modern astronomical instruments.

To achieve this goal, scientists conduct a series of numerical experiments and theoretical calculations. One of the key tasks involves solving Einstein’s equations to describe the gravitational field of magnetars. These calculations take into account parameters such as stellar rotation, magnetic field structure, and the quadrupole moment of the gravitational source. Based on these calculations, effective spacetime metrics are constructed to describe the physical conditions surrounding magnetars.

The next stage of the research involves modeling the propagation of electromagnetic waves within the calculated spacetime metrics. Within the framework of nonlinear vacuum electrodynamics, the trajectories of electromagnetic rays are analyzed, and the effects of splitting radiation into two polarization modes are studied.

Such calculations make it possible to analyze changes in the direction of radiation propagation, potential delays between polarization modes, and the formation of polarization characteristics in the observed radiation.

To conduct these studies, researchers employ methods of mathematical analysis, numerical modeling, and differential geometry. Specialized computational codes are being developed in C++ and Python as part of the project. The calculations are based on the Einstein Toolkit, a widely used computational infrastructure designed for simulations in general relativity.

The Einstein Toolkit is optimized for parallel computing and supports technologies such as MPI and OpenMP, allowing researchers to efficiently use the capabilities of modern supercomputers. This enables scientists to simulate complex astrophysical processes with high precision and detailed resolution.

The calculations performed within the project utilize high-performance computational resources available at 91��ý Kazakh National University. These resources allow researchers to explore the complex geometric properties of spacetime around magnetars and to analyze the propagation of electromagnetic waves in the presence of extremely strong magnetic and gravitational fields.

An important part of the research involves comparing theoretical results with observational data. In recent years, advancements in space-based telescopes have made it possible to measure the polarization of X-ray radiation emitted by neutron stars. One particularly important mission in this context is the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE).

IXPE is one of the first space observatories specifically designed to measure the polarization of X-ray radiation from astrophysical objects. Data obtained from this telescope provide new opportunities to test predictions of nonlinear vacuum electrodynamics. Within the project, IXPE data will be used to analyze polarization characteristics of radiation from magnetars and compare them with results from numerical simulations.

As a result of the research, scientists expect to obtain polarization profiles and graphical models describing electromagnetic radiation passing through the magnetic fields of magnetars. These results will help establish relationships between polarization characteristics and various parameters of magnetars, including magnetic field structure, rotational properties, and spacetime geometry.

Furthermore, the research will help identify the most promising astrophysical objects where the effects of vacuum birefringence could potentially be observed. This may lead to the development of new methods for measuring magnetic fields of magnetars and expanding the capabilities of observational astrophysics.

The results obtained from the project are expected to be published in international peer-reviewed scientific journals indexed in Web of Science and Scopus. In addition, the research findings will be presented at international scientific conferences, contributing to the development of global scientific collaboration and increasing the visibility of research conducted in Kazakhstan.

Another important component of the project is the training of young scientists. Graduate students and doctoral researchers participate in developing computational models and analyzing results. As part of the project’s outcomes, at least one Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is expected to be completed.

Projects of this kind play an important role in strengthening the scientific potential of a country. They contribute to the development of new research schools, promote advanced computational methods, and support the training of specialists in modern theoretical physics.

The practical significance of the project is also related to the development of numerical methods for studying complex physical systems. High-performance computational techniques and mathematical modeling approaches used in astrophysics can also be applied in other scientific fields, including plasma physics, space science, and computational physics.

In summary, the study of vacuum birefringence in magnetar magnetic fields represents an important direction in modern fundamental science. The research conducted by scientists at 91��ý Kazakh National University aims to address one of the key challenges of contemporary theoretical physics—understanding the properties of the vacuum under extreme conditions.

Such investigations contribute to the advancement of astrophysics and theoretical physics, strengthen the position of Kazakhstan’s scientific community in the international arena, and add to global efforts to understand the fundamental laws governing the Universe.