Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT We discuss possible electromagnetic signals accompanying Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) that are expected in the scenario where FRBs originate in neutron star magnetospheres. For models involving Crab-like giant pulses, no appreciable contemporaneous emission is expected at other wavelengths. However, magnetar giant flares, driven by the reconfiguration of the magnetosphere, can produce both contemporaneous bursts at other wavelengths as well as afterglow-like emission. We conclude that the best chances are: (i) prompt short GRB-like emission, (ii) a contemporaneous optical flash that can reach naked eye peak luminosity (but only for a few milliseconds), and (iii) a high-energy afterglow emission. Case (i) could be tested by coordinated radio and high-energy experiments. Case (ii) could be seen in a coordinated radio-optical surveys, e.g., by the Palomar Transient Factory in a 60 s frame as a transient object of m = 15–20 mag with an expected optical detection rate of about 0.1 hr−1, an order of magnitude higher than in radio. Shallow, but large-area sky surveys such as ASAS-SN and EVRYSCOPE could also detect prompt optical flashes from the more powerful Lorimer-burst clones. The best constraints on the optical to radio power for this kind of emission could be provided by future observations with facilities like Large Synoptic Survey Telescope. Case (iii) might be seen in relatively rare cases that the relativistically ejected magnetic blob is moving along the line of sight.
Authors: Maxim Lyutikov, Duncan R. Lorimer
Institutions: Purdue University West Lafayette, West Virginia University
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Awards: Collaborative Research: Synergistic Study of Fast Radio Bursts and Pulsar Giant Pulse Emission, HIGH ENERGY EMISSION PRODUCED BY RELATIVISTIC MAGNETIZED OUTFLOWS IN PULSAR WIND NEBULAE (PWN), ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI (AGN), GAMMA RAY BURSTS (GRB), Cosmic Ray-Modified Astrophysical Shocks: Modeling and Observations
OpenAlex ID: W2345756740