Periodic fast radio bursts from forcedly precessing neutron stars, anomalous torque, and internal magnetic field for FRB 180916.J0158+65 and FRB 121102

TL;DR

This paper proposes that forced precession of neutron stars, caused by anomalous electromagnetic torques, can explain periodic fast radio bursts without requiring extremely strong magnetic fields, aligning with observations of FRB 180916.J0158+65 and FRB 121102.

Contribution

It introduces a model of forced neutron star precession driven by anomalous electromagnetic torques, providing a plausible explanation for periodic FRBs with moderate magnetic fields.

Findings

Forced precession can occur without stellar deformation.

Inferred magnetic fields are consistent with observed FRB periods.

The model aligns with non-detection of high-energy emissions.

Abstract

A recent discovery of the periodic activity of the repeating fast radio burst source FRB 180916.J0158+65 in the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME) hints at possible origin of the FRB from a freely precessing neutron star with a magnetar magnetic field of about $10^{16}$ G. However, the absence of simultaneously detected high-energy emission in the Swift and AGILE observations imposes stringent constraints on the field magnitude and questions the possibility of such a progenitor. We show that consideration of forced precession of a neutron star does not encounter the difficulty. This kind of precession takes place even if the neutron star is not deformed and is brought about by the anomalous moment of electromagnetic forces induced by stellar rotation and determined by non-corotational currents. Contrary to what is expected for the currents of corotation, the anomalous torque calculated by the direct method appears to be non-zero. If the observed 16.35-day period corresponds to the period of stellar precession, the inferred internal magnetic field appears to be about $6\times10^{14}$ G for rotational period 1 s. For another possibly periodic FRB 121102 with 157-day period the magnetic field is even lower, $2\times10^{14}$ G, thereby justifying earlier considerations and not ruling out the hypothesis of FRB origin from precessing neutron stars.