Collimation of Fast Radio Burster 20201124A; Repeaters vs. Apparent Non-Repeaters

TL;DR

This paper investigates the emission geometry and repetition behavior of the Fast Radio Burster 20201124A, proposing explanations for observed differences between repeaters and apparent non-repeaters based on emission angles and alignment.

Contribution

It introduces a model linking emission geometry to the observed repetition patterns and provides bounds on the emission's solid angle and Lorentz factor.

Findings

Bounds on emission solid angle based on energetics

Repetition patterns explained by emission alignment

Differences between repeaters and non-repeaters due to geometry

Abstract

The recent report of a period in the active repeating Fast Radio Burster 20201124A and of its spindown rate place bounds on the solid angle of its emission on the basis of energetics. The bound depends on the (unknown) efficiency of conversion of rotational energy to coherent radio emission and implies a lower bound on the Lorentz factor of the radiating charges. Bursts may be emitted along the magnetic dipole axis, in repeaters aligned with the rotational axis and the line of sight but misaligned in apparent non-repeaters. This may explain the difficulty of finding periodicity in repeaters and the low duty cycle of apparent non-repeaters.