Evidence of X-Ray Plateaus Driven by the Magnetar Spindown Winds in Gamma-Ray Burst Afterglows

The central engine of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) remains an open and cutting-edge topic in the era of multimessenger astrophysics. X-ray plateaus appear in some GRB afterglows, which are widely considered to originate from the spindown of magnetars. According to the stable magnetar scenario of GRBs, an X-ray plateau and a decay phase similar to t(-2) should appear in X-ray afterglows. Meanwhile, the normal X-ray afterglow is produced by the external shock from a GRB fireball. We analyze the Neil Gehrels Swift GRB data, then find three gold samples that have an X-ray plateau and a decay phase similar to t(-2) superimposed on the jet-driven normal component. Based on these features of the lightcurves, we argue that the magnetars should be the central engines of these three GRBs. Future joint multimessenger observations might further test this possibility, which can then be beneficial to constrain GRB physics.

Automated summary

This paper discusses the possibility of magnetars as the central engines of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). By analyzing data from the Neil Gehrels Swift GRB, three GRBs with features indicating magnetars as central engines were identified. Magnetars may play a significant role in GRBs, and future multimessenger observations could further validate this hypothesis.