Radio Emission from Magnetars

Abstract

Magnetars, neutron stars whose dipole component of their surface magnetic field has a strength of 1014 – 1015 G, are luminous sources in the X‐ray and γ‐ray regimes, but until recently were undetected at radio wavelengths. However, new observations have discovered several radio pulsars with magnetic field strength similar to that of magnetars, pulsed radio emission from transient Anomalous X‐ray Pulsar XTE J1810‐197, and continuum radio emission from Soft γ‐ray Repeater SGR 1806‐20 believed to be the result of the giant γ‐ray flare observed from this source of 27 December 2004. While the nature of the radio emission from these sources has yet to be determined, studying this emission is important in the determining the emission mechanism of the magnetars, the difference between magnetars and “normal” radio pulsars, and the physical mechanism behind magnetar giant flares.