arXiv subjects

Richard E. Rothschild

Publications and source records attributed to Richard E. Rothschild.

38 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2001

Propeller vs. Magnetar Concepts for SGR/AXPs

Two lines of thought exist as to the nature of Soft Gamma-ray Repeaters (SGRs) and Anomalous X-ray Pulsars (AXPs). On the one hand,we have neutron stars with super-critical magnetic fields, which spin-down the stars and power the gamma-ray bursts. On the other hand, are neutron stars with typical pulsar magnetic fields, which are spun-down by magnetospheric ``propeller'' torques from fallback or fossil disks in addition to magnetic dipole radiation. Many observational facts are available for comparing and contrasting these two concepts. The facts are described and whether or not each is compatible with these concepts is presented.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

Fossil Disks and Propellor Spindown of SGR/AXPs

We have shown that the interstellar media which surround the progenitors of SGRs and AXPs were unusually dense compared to the environments around most young radio pulsars. This environmental correlation argues strongly against the current magnetar model for SGRs and AXPs. We suggest instead that they are neutron stars with sub-critical magnetic fields and are spun down rapidly by ``propeller'' torques from fossil disks formed from the fallback of supernova ejecta. We show that this hypothesis is consistent with the observed properties of these enigmatic objects, and we compare the propeller and magnetar models for SGR and AXPs.

astro-ph↗