Flares, Jets, and Quasiperiodic Outbursts from Neutron Star Merger Remnants

Elias R. Most, Eliot Quataert

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21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Using numerical relativity simulations with a subgrid dynamo prescription to generate strong initial magnetic fields, we investigate the possibility of launching a jet-like outflow from the hypermassive neutron star (HMNS) during the early stages of the merger, prior to the remnant’s collapse to a black hole. We demonstrate that buoyant instabilities in the strongly magnetized HMNS can lead to a periodic emission of powerful electromagnetic flares shortly after the merger. These are followed by a collimated mildly relativistic outflow. Both types of outflows feature quasiperiodic kilohertz substructure. These early-time outflows may power precursors to short-duration gamma-ray bursts (sGRBs) or in some cases the entire sGRB. While the overall temporal power spectrum we find broadly agrees with the one recently reported for quasiperiodic oscillations in the sGRB GRB910711, our simulations suggest that the periodic electromagnetic substructure is dominated by magnetohydrodynamic shearing processes rather than correlating with the corresponding postmerger gravitational-wave signal.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberL15
JournalAstrophysical Journal Letters
Volume947
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2023

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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