Fast Radio Bursts from the Inspiral of Double Neutron Stars

TL;DR

This paper proposes a model where fast radio bursts originate from magnetic interactions between inspiraling double neutron stars, explaining observed properties and linking FRBs to other astrophysical phenomena.

Contribution

It introduces a unipolar inductor model for FRBs from double neutron star inspirals, providing a physical mechanism for their emission and potential multi-messenger associations.

Findings

Model explains FRB frequency, luminosity, duration, and rate.

Coherent curvature radiation accounts for observed signals.

Implications include double-peaked FRBs and links to gamma-ray bursts and gravitational waves.

Abstract

In this paper we propose that a fast radio burst (FRB) could originate from the magnetic interaction between double neutron stars (NSs) during their final inspiral within the framework of a unipolar inductor model. In this model, an electromotive force is induced on one NS to accelerate electrons to an ultra-relativistic speed instantaneously. We show that coherent curvature radiation from these electrons moving along magnetic field lines in the magnetosphere of the other NS is responsible for the observed FRB signal, that is, the characteristic emission frequency, luminosity, duration and event rate of FRBs can be well understood. In addition, we discuss several implications of this model, including double-peaked FRBs and possible associations of FRBs with short-duration gamma-ray bursts and gravitational wave events.