The Braking Index of Millisecond Magnetars

Paul D. Lasky, Cristiano Leris, Antonia Rowlinson, Kostas Glampedakis

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review

66 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We make the first measurement of the braking index n of two putative millisecond magnetars born in short gamma-ray bursts. We measure n = 2.9 ± 0.1 and n 2.6 ± 0.1 for millisecond magnetars born in GRB 130603B and GRB 140903A, respectively. The neutron star born in GRB 130603B has the only known a braking index consistent with the fiducial n = 3 value. This value is ruled out with 99.95% confidence for GRB 140903A. We discuss possible causes of n < 3braking indices in millisecond magnetars, showing that several models can account for the measurement of the braking index in GRB 140903A, while it is more difficult to account for a braking index consistent with n = 3.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberL1
Number of pages6
JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters
Volume843
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2017

Keywords

  • gamma-ray burst: individual (GRB 130603B, GRB 140903A)
  • stars: magnetars
  • stars: neutron

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    • Extreme astrophysics in the age of gravitational waves

      Lasky, P. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI))

      ARC - Australian Research Council, Monash University

      30/06/17 → 18/11/21

      Project: Research

    • ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery

      Bailes, M. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), McClelland, D. E. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Levin, Y. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Blair, D. G. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Scott, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Ottaway, D. J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Melatos, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Veitch, P. J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Wen, L. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Shaddock, D. A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Slagmolen, B. J. J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Zhao, C. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Evans, R. J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Ju, L. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Galloway, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Thrane, E. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Hurley, J. R. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Coward, D. M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Cooke, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Couch, W. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Hobbs, G. B. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Reitze, D. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Rowan, S. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Cai, R. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Adhikari, R. X. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Danzmann, K. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Mavalvala, N. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Kulkarni, S. R. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Kramer, M. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Branchesi, M. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Gehrels, N. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Weinstein, A. J. R. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Steeghs, D. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Bock, D. (Partner Investigator (PI)) & Lasky, P. (Chief Investigator (CI))

      Monash University – Internal University Contribution, Monash University – Internal Department Contribution

      1/01/17 → 31/03/24

      Project: Research

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