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arXiv · 2610.18208

Fast Radio Bursts from Monster Shocks and Flares of Inspiraling Binary Neutron Stars: A Kinetic Model for Double Pulsar

Jan Benáček·Benoît Cerutti·Martin Pohl·Tim Dietrich·Anna Neuweiler
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Abstract

The coalescence of binary neutron star systems offers unprecedented possibilities for multimessenger observations, including the detection of gravitational waves, gamma-ray bursts, kilonovae, and potentially fast radio bursts. For a detailed investigation of the latter, one requires a kinetic plasma model to describe the interacting magnetospheres of the stars. We present a three-dimensional particle-in-cell kinetic simulation of the combined magnetosphere of a binary neutron star in which the two stars physically orbit one another so that the orbital motion itself twists the magnetic loops. We find that the stellar magnetic-field intensity ratio controls the emergence of flares, while the stellar spins set the direction and modulation of the flare. We identify four spatially and dynamically distinct regions of strong electromagnetic energy release: (i) an expanding fast magnetosonic wave that steepens into a monster shock, (ii) a plasma flare being pushed by (iii) an expanding fireball and containing (iv) a reconnecting current sheet. The fast magnetosonic wave is a promising source of coherent radio emission. It is released when orbital motion cuts a closed plasma loop. The electric and magnetic wave amplitudes are similar and reach that of the background magnetic field. Our kinetic treatment yields particle spectra and plasma structures that can be used to assess coherent emission in kinetic-scale simulations. In conclusion, the stellar orbital motion constitutes a driving channel distinct from models with spin-driven magnetospheric twisting.

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Jan Benáček, Benoît Cerutti, Martin Pohl, Tim Dietrich, Anna Neuweiler. 2026-10-13. Fast Radio Bursts from Monster Shocks and Flares of Inspiraling Binary Neutron Stars: A Kinetic Model for Double Pulsar. https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.18208

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