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arXiv · 0907.2290

GRB afterglow plateaus and Gravitational Waves: multi-messenger signature of a millisecond magnetar?

Alessandra Corsi·Peter Meszaros
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Abstract

The existence of a shallow decay phase in the early X-ray afterglows of gamma-ray bursts is a common feature. Here we investigate the possibility that this is connected to the formation of a highly magnetized millisecond pulsar, pumping energy into the fireball on timescales longer than the prompt emission. In this scenario the nascent neutron star could undergo a secular bar-mode instability, leading to gravitational wave losses which would affect the neutron star spin-down. In this case, nearby gamma-ray bursts with isotropic energies of the order of 1e50 ergs would produce a detectable gravitational wave signal emitted in association with an observed X-ray light-curve plateau, over relatively long timescales of minutes to about an hour. The peak amplitude of the gravitational wave signal would be delayed with respect to the gamma-ray burst trigger, offering gravitational wave interferometers such as the advanced LIGO and Virgo the challenging possibility of catching its signature on the fly.

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Alessandra Corsi, Peter Meszaros. 2009-08-21. GRB afterglow plateaus and Gravitational Waves: multi-messenger signature of a millisecond magnetar?. https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637x/702/2/1171

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