Compton scattering effects in the spectra of soft gamma-ray repeaters

Abstract

The association of all three soft gamma-ray repeaters (SGRs) with supernova remnants has made possible estimates of the distance to and luminosity of the sources of SGRs, which have provided a starting point for detailed modeling. One of the most popular classes of models involves strongly magnetized neutron stars, with surface dipole fields $B\sim 10^{14}-10^{15}$ G. In these ``magnetar" models, many otherwise negligible processes can play an important role. Here we consider the spectral effects of strong-field modifications to Compton scattering, in particular those related to the contribution of vacuum polarization to the dielectric tensor. Vacuum polarization introduces a density-dependent photon frequency, called the second vacuum frequency, at which the normal modes of polarization become nonorthogonal and the mean free path of photons decreases sharply. Monte Carlo simulations of photon propagation through a magnetized plasma show that this effect leads, under a wide range of physical conditions, to a broad absorption-like feature in the energy range $\sim$5 keV---40 keV.