Alfven-winged pulsar

TL;DR

This paper uses 3D simulations to show that neutron stars in merging systems can produce complex electromagnetic interactions, potentially observable as periodic radio and high-energy signals.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of an Alfven-winged pulsar, demonstrating how neutron stars generate detectable electromagnetic emissions during mergers.

Findings

Neutron stars generate dissipative currents in merging environments.

Electromagnetic power is carried by large electric currents.

Orbital modulation produces nearly periodic signals.

Abstract

Detecting possible electromagnetic precursors to the gravitational signal from merging compact objects is challenging, but it can reveal intricate physical properties of the merging stars through their gravitational and electromagnetic interactions. We demonstrate, using 3D Particle-In-Cell simulations, that a neutron star moving through the magnetosphere of a merging companion generates a complicated system of dissipative currents, a relativistic analogue of planetary Alfven wings. Generated electric currents carry a large fraction of the electromagnetic power intersected by the neutron star. These currents may lead to the generation of beamed, pulsar-like coherent radio and high-energy emission. Orbital modulation will produce a nearly periodic signal, an Alfven-winged pulsar.