Origin of sources of repeating fast radio bursts with periodicity in close binary systems

TL;DR

This paper proposes that repeating fast radio bursts with periodicity originate from magnetars formed in close binary systems through a unique evolutionary channel involving tidal synchronization, explaining differences from non-repeating FRB sources.

Contribution

It introduces a novel formation scenario for repeating FRB sources involving magnetars in close binaries, distinct from normal magnetar evolution.

Findings

Repeating FRB sources are likely magnetars formed in close binary systems.

The formation involves tidal synchronization of progenitor cores in very close binaries.

This scenario accounts for observed differences between repeating and non-repeating FRBs.

Abstract

It is proposed that sources of repeating fast radio bursts with detected periodicity are magnetars with extremely short initial spin periods at the protoneutron star stage, formed in binaries after tidal synchronization of their progenitor cores on late stages of thermonuclear burning in very close systems with orbital periods about a few days. This formation channel is in several respects different from evolution of progenitors of normal magnetars, and thus, it explains some differences between repeating and non-repeating sources of FRBs.