Can a strong radio burst escape the magnetosphere of a magnetar?

Abstract

We examine the possibility that fast radio bursts (FRBs) are emitted inside the magnetosphere of a magnetar. On its way out, the radio wave must interact with a low-density $e^{\pm }$ plasma in the outer magnetosphere at radii $R=10^9$-$10^{10}$cm. In this region, the magnetospheric particles have a huge cross section for scattering the wave. As a result, the wave strongly interacts with the magnetosphere and compresses it, depositing the FRB energy into the compressed field and the scattered radiation. The scattered spectrum extends to the $\gamma$-ray band and triggers $e^{\pm }$ avalanche, further boosting the opacity. These processes choke FRBs, disfavoring scenarios with a radio source confined at $R\ll 10^{10}$cm. Observed FRBs can be emitted by magnetospheric flare ejecta transporting energy to large radii.

6 pages, 1 figure, accepted to ApJL

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Cited by in corpus (11)

• The Physics of Fast Radio Bursts
• Coherent inverse Compton scattering by bunches in fast radio bursts
• Electromagnetic fireworks: Fast radio bursts from rapid reconnection in the compressed magnetar wind
• Transparency of Fast Radio Burst Waves in Magnetar Magnetospheres
• Scattering of ultrastrong electromagnetic waves by magnetized particles
• Direct Emission of Strong Radio Pulses During Magnetar Flares
• Relativistic Alfvén Waves Entering Charge Starvation in the Magnetospheres of Neutron Stars
• Expanding Fireball in Magnetar Bursts and Fast Radio Bursts
• Circular polarization of fast radio bursts in the curvature radiation scenario
• Escape of Fast Radio Bursts from magnetars' magnetospheres
• Radiation formation length in astrophysical high brightness sources