Neutron star phase transition as the origin for the fast radio bursts and soft gamma-ray repeaters of SGR J1935+2154

TL;DR

This paper proposes that neutron star phase transitions, modeled using the MIT bag equation of state, can explain the energy release and timing of observed fast radio bursts and soft gamma-ray repeaters from SGR J1935+2154.

Contribution

It introduces a novel mechanism linking neutron star phase transitions to FRBs and SGRs, supported by detailed modeling of neutron star structure and energy release.

Findings

Energy release matches observed FRB and SGR energies.

Timing of phase transitions aligns with observed burst intervals.

Model explains both repeating FRBs and X-ray flares.

Abstract

Magnetars are believed as neutron stars (NSs) with strong magnetic fields. X-ray flares and fast radio bursts (FRBs) have been observed from the magnetar (soft gamma-ray repeater, SGR J1935+2154). We propose that the phase transition of the NS can power the FRBs and SGRs.Based on the equation of state provided by the MIT bag model and the mean field approximation, we solve the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff equations to get the NS structure. With spin-down of the NS, the hadronic shell gradually transfers to the quark shell.The gravitational potential energy released by one time of the phase transition can be achieved. The released energy, time interval between two successive phase transitions, and glitch are all consistent with the observations of the FRBs and the X-ray flares from SGR J1935+2154. We conclude that the phase transition of an NS is a plausible mechanism to power the SGRs as well as the repeating FRBs.