Pulsar revival in neutron star mergers: multi-messenger prospects for the discovery of pre-merger coherent radio emission

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential for detecting pre-merger coherent radio emissions from neutron star mergers, emphasizing the role of magnetic fields and multi-messenger observations to identify such events at Gpc distances.

Contribution

It introduces a model for pre-merger radio bursts from neutron star mergers, highlighting their detectability with next-generation radio telescopes and proposing multi-messenger strategies for identification.

Findings

Coherent millisecond radio bursts are detectable at Gpc distances if one neutron star has a magnetic field ≥ 10^{12}G.

Multi-messenger methods can help identify the neutron star merger origin of radio bursts.

Recommendations are provided for current and future observational strategies.

Abstract

We investigate pre-merger coherent radio emission from neutron star mergers arising due to the magnetospheric interaction between compact objects. We consider two plausible radiation mechanisms, and show that if one neutron star has a surface magnetic field $B_{\rm s} \ge 10^{12}$G, coherent millisecond radio bursts with characteristic temporal morphology and inclination angle dependence are observable to Gpc distances with next-generation radio facilities. We explore multi-messenger and multi-wavelength methods of identification of a NS merger origin of radio bursts, such as in fast radio burst surveys, triggered observations of gamma-ray bursts and gravitational wave events, and optical/radio follow-up of fast radio bursts in search of kilonova and radio afterglow emission. We present our findings for current and future observing facilities, and make recommendations for verifying or constraining the model.