Pulsar revival in neutron star mergers: multimessenger prospects for the discovery of pre-merger coherent radio emission

We investigate pre-merger coherent radio emission from neutron star mergers arising due to the magnetospheric interaction between compact objects. We consider two plausible radiation mechanisms, and show that if one neutron star has a surface magnetic field B-s >= 10(12)G, coherent millisecond radio bursts with characteristic temporal morphology and inclination angle dependence are observable to Gpc distances with next-generation radio facilities. We explore multi-messenger and multi-wavelength methods of identification of a neutron star merger origin of radio bursts, such as in fast radio burst surveys, triggered observations of gamma-ray bursts and gravitational wave events, and optical/radio follow-up of fast radio bursts in search of kilonova and radio afterglow emission. We present our findings for current and future observing facilities, and make recommendations for verifying or constraining the model.

Automated summary

We investigate coherent radio emission from neutron star mergers resulting from magnetospheric interaction between compact objects. Two plausible radiation mechanisms are considered, and it is shown that if one neutron star has a surface magnetic field of B-s >= 10(12)G, coherent millisecond radio bursts with characteristic temporal morphology and inclination angle dependence can be observed up to Gpc distances with next-generation radio facilities. We explore methods of identifying neutron star mergers as the origin of radio bursts using multi-messenger and multi-wavelength techniques, including fast radio burst surveys, observations of gamma-ray bursts and gravitational wave events, and follow-up observations of fast radio bursts for kilonova and radio afterglow emission. Findings for current and future observing facilities are presented, along with recommendations for verifying or constraining the model.