Unstable waves in winds of magnetic massive stars

Abstract

We use a luminous fast magnetic rotator model to analyze the influence of a magnetic field on the linear waves induced in the wind of a massive star by the radiative instability. We show that a twisted magnetic field can drive a strong wind with a wind efficiency $(\dot{M}v_\infty)/(L/c)>1$ even without multiple scattering. The radiation amplified waves in the wind are modified by the twisted magnetic field so that they can enhance the wind and lead to overestimates for $\dot{M}$ and $v_\infty$. Finally we argue that the spin down time might be consistent with the lifetime derived from the mass loss rate within the uncertainties regarding the stellar structure. Therefore our model may help to explain high, observed values for $\dot{M}$ and $v_\infty$ without being ruled out by the spin down problem.