Localized FRBs are Consistent with Magnetar Progenitors Formed in Core-Collapse Supernovae

TL;DR

This study investigates whether fast radio burst (FRB) progenitors are consistent with magnetars formed in core-collapse supernovae by analyzing host galaxy environments and comparing them with other transient populations.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel method to compare host galaxy properties, demonstrating that FRBs are consistent with magnetars born in core-collapse supernovae, unlike other transient hosts.

Findings

FRB hosts and CCSN hosts share similar properties.

FRB hosts differ from SLSNe-I and LGRB hosts.

FRBs likely originate from magnetars formed in CCSNe.

Abstract

With the localization of fast radio bursts (FRBs) to galaxies similar to the Milky Way and the detection of a bright radio burst from SGR J1935+2154 with energy comparable to extragalactic radio bursts, a magnetar origin for FRBs is evident. By studying the environments of FRBs, evidence for magnetar formation mechanisms not observed in the Milky Way may become apparent. In this paper, we use a sample of FRB host galaxies and a complete sample of core-collapse supernova (CCSN) hosts to determine whether FRB progenitors are consistent with a population of magnetars born in CCSNe. We also compare the FRB hosts to the hosts of hydrogen-poor superluminous supernovae (SLSNe-I) and long gamma-ray bursts (LGRBs) to determine whether the population of FRB hosts is compatible with a population of transients that may be connected to millisecond magnetars. After using a novel approach to scale the stellar masses and star-formation rates of each host galaxy to be statistically representative of $z=0$ galaxies, we find that the CCSN hosts and FRBs are consistent with arising from the same distribution. Furthermore, the FRB host distribution is inconsistent with the distribution of SLSNe-I and LGRB hosts. With the current sample of FRB host galaxies, our analysis shows that FRBs are consistent with a population of magnetars born through the collapse of giant, highly magnetic stars.