Rapid spin changes around a magnetar fast radio burst

Rapid spin changes around a magnetar fast radio burst

14 Feb 2024 | Chin-Ping Hu, Takuto Narita, Teruaki Enoto, George Younes, Zorawar Wadiasingh, Matthew G. Baring, Wynn C. G. Ho, Sebastien Guillot, Paul S. Ray, Tolga Güver, Kaustubh Rajwade, Zaven Arzoumanian, Chryssa Kouveliotou, Alice K. Harding, and Keith C. Gendreau
This paper reports the discovery of an unprecedented double glitch in the magnetar SGR 1935+2154, bracketing a fast radio burst (FRB) that occurred on October 14, 2022. The first glitch involved a significant increase in the magnetar's spin frequency, followed by a rapid spin-down phase, and a subsequent second glitch. These glitches are among the largest ever observed in magnetars and pulsars. Between the glitches, the magnetar exhibited a rapid spin-down rate, accompanied by a profound increase and subsequent decline in its persistent X-ray emission and burst rate. The authors propose that a strong, ephemeral magnetospheric wind provides the torque that slows the star's rotation. The trigger for the first glitch couples the star's crust to its magnetosphere, enhancing X-ray signals and spawning the wind that alters magnetospheric conditions, which might produce the FRB. The paper also discusses the spectral evolution and burst activity during this period, providing insights into the environmental conditions that allow FRBs to occur in magnetars.This paper reports the discovery of an unprecedented double glitch in the magnetar SGR 1935+2154, bracketing a fast radio burst (FRB) that occurred on October 14, 2022. The first glitch involved a significant increase in the magnetar's spin frequency, followed by a rapid spin-down phase, and a subsequent second glitch. These glitches are among the largest ever observed in magnetars and pulsars. Between the glitches, the magnetar exhibited a rapid spin-down rate, accompanied by a profound increase and subsequent decline in its persistent X-ray emission and burst rate. The authors propose that a strong, ephemeral magnetospheric wind provides the torque that slows the star's rotation. The trigger for the first glitch couples the star's crust to its magnetosphere, enhancing X-ray signals and spawning the wind that alters magnetospheric conditions, which might produce the FRB. The paper also discusses the spectral evolution and burst activity during this period, providing insights into the environmental conditions that allow FRBs to occur in magnetars.
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