Fast Radio Bursts and the Axion Quark Nugget Dark Matter Model

TL;DR

This paper proposes a model where Fast Radio Bursts are caused by magnetic reconnection triggered by Axion Quark Nugget dark matter, explaining observed properties and suggesting future tests.

Contribution

It introduces a novel mechanism linking AQN dark matter to FRBs via shock-induced magnetic reconnection, aligning with observed FRB characteristics.

Findings

The model reproduces FRB energy and duration.

It explains the frequency range of FRBs.

Proposes testable predictions for future observations.

Abstract

We explore the possibility that the Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) are powered by magnetic reconnection in magnetars, triggered by Axion Quark Nugget (AQN) dark matter. In this model, the magnetic reconnection is ignited by the shock wave which develops when the nuggets' Mach number $M \gg 1$. These shock waves generate very strong and very short impulses expressed in terms of pressure $\Delta p/p\sim M^2$ and temperature $\Delta T/T\sim M^2$ in the vicinity of (would be) magnetic reconnection area. We find that the proposed mechanism produces a coherent emission which is consistent with current data, in particular the FRB energy requirements, the observed energy distribution, the frequency range and the burst duration. Our model allows us to propose additional tests which future data will be able to challenge.