2017ApJ...842...34W -
Astrophys. J., 842, 34-34 (2017/June-2)
On the origin of fast radio bursts (FRBs).
WAXMAN E.
Abstract (from CDS):
We derive stringent constraints on the persistent source associated with FRB 121102: size 0.3 R17.5 =(R/1017.5 cm) 3, age 102.5 year, energy E~1049(εe/0.2GeV)3 erg, characteristic electron energy 0.1 εe/1 GeV 0.5; the radiating plasma is confined by a cold plasma of mass Mc 10–1.5R17.54 M☉; these properties are inconsistent with typical "magnetar wind nebulae" model predictions. The fact that εe∼mpc2 suggests that the hot plasma was created by the ejection of a mildly relativistic, M~E/c2~10–5 M☉ shell, which propagated into an extended ambient medium or collided with a pre-ejected shell. Independent of the persistent source model, we suggest a physical mechanism for the generation of fast radio bursts (FRBs): the ejection from an underlying compact object, Rs=106Rs,6 cm, of highly relativistic shells with energy Es=1041E41 erg and Lorentz factor γs=103E411/8Rs,6–3/8, into a surrounding e - p plasma with density n∼10–1 cm–3 (consistent with that inferred for the persistent source). For Es similar to observed FRB energies, plasma conditions appropriate for strong synchrotron maser emission at νcoh.~0.5E411/4Rs,6–3/4 GHz are formed. A significant fraction of the deposited energy is converted to an FRB with duration Rs/c, accompanied by ∼10 MeV gamma-rays carrying less energy than the FRB. The inferred energy and mass associated with the source suggest some type of a "weak stellar explosion," where a neutron star is formed with relatively low mass and energy ejection. However, the current upper limit on R does not allow one to rule out Mc∼1 M☉, or the ejection of a larger mass well before the ejection of the confining shell.
Abstract Copyright:
© 2017. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Journal keyword(s):
masers - stars: neutron - supernovae: general - supernovae: general
Simbad objects:
2
Full paper
View the references in ADS
To bookmark this query, right click on this link: simbad:2017ApJ...842...34W and select 'bookmark this link' or equivalent in the popup menu