Dynamical Formation Channels for Fast Radio Bursts in Globular Clusters

The repeating fast radio burst (FRB) localized to a globular cluster (GC) in M81 challenges our understanding of FRB models. In this Letter, we explore dynamical formation scenarios for objects in old GCs that may plausibly power FRBs. Using N-body simulations, we demonstrate that young neutron stars (NSs) may form in GCs at a rate of up to similar to 50 Gpc(-3) yr(-1) through a combination of binary white dwarf (WD) mergers, WD-NS mergers, binary NS mergers, and accretion-induced collapse of massive WDs in binary systems. We consider two FRB emission mechanisms: First, we show that a magnetically powered source (e.g., a magnetar with field strength greater than or similar to 10(14) G) is viable for radio emission efficiencies greater than or similar to 10(-4). This would require magnetic activity lifetimes longer than the associated spin-down timescales and longer than empirically constrained lifetimes of Galactic magnetars. Alternatively, if these dynamical formation channels produce young rotation-powered NSs with spin periods of similar to 10 ms and magnetic fields of similar to 10(11) G (corresponding to spin-down lifetimes of greater than or similar to 10(5) yr), the inferred event rate and energetics can be reasonably reproduced for order unity duty cycles. Additionally, we show that recycled millisecond pulsars or low-mass X-ray binaries similar to those well-observed in Galactic GCs may also be plausible channels, but only if their duty cycle for producing bursts similar to the M81 FRB is small.

Automated summary

Researchers used N-body simulations to explore various mechanisms for the formation of young neutron stars (NSs) in globular clusters (GCs), further elucidating the origin and emission mechanisms of fast radio bursts (FRBs). The results suggest that both magnetically powered and rotation-powered sources could potentially produce FRBs, and recycled millisecond pulsars or low-mass X-ray binaries are also plausible channels for FRB production, depending on their duty cycles.