Structure Functions of Rotation Measures Revealing the Origin of Fast Radio Bursts
Structure function (SF) analysis is a powerful tool for studying plasma turbulence. Theoretically, the SF of Faraday rotation measure (RM) is expected to include a geometric component due to the relative orientation of sight lines through an ordered magnetic field. However, observational evidence fo...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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IOP Publishing
2025-01-01
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| Series: | The Astrophysical Journal Letters |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/adabc2 |
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| author | Rui-Nan Li Zhen-Yin Zhao Qin Wu Shuang-Xi Yi Fa-Yin Wang |
| author_facet | Rui-Nan Li Zhen-Yin Zhao Qin Wu Shuang-Xi Yi Fa-Yin Wang |
| author_sort | Rui-Nan Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Structure function (SF) analysis is a powerful tool for studying plasma turbulence. Theoretically, the SF of Faraday rotation measure (RM) is expected to include a geometric component due to the relative orientation of sight lines through an ordered magnetic field. However, observational evidence for this component remains elusive. Here, we report that the SFs of the binary PSR B1744–24A and the repeating fast radio burst (FRB) 20201124A exhibit both a periodic geometric component, caused by binary orbital motion, and a flat statistical component. The statistical component, induced by stochastic fluctuations in electron density and magnetic field, aligns with RM scatter derived from pulse depolarization. These findings indicate that FRB 20201124A has a binary origin and suggest that the periodic geometric component can serve as a diagnostic tool to identify binary companions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-dcad2b0e10694f57b2fae83c16306ff5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2041-8205 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | IOP Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Astrophysical Journal Letters |
| spelling | doaj-art-dcad2b0e10694f57b2fae83c16306ff52025-01-29T17:51:34ZengIOP PublishingThe Astrophysical Journal Letters2041-82052025-01-019792L4110.3847/2041-8213/adabc2Structure Functions of Rotation Measures Revealing the Origin of Fast Radio BurstsRui-Nan Li0https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3326-7827Zhen-Yin Zhao1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2171-9861Qin Wu2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6021-5933Shuang-Xi Yi3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0672-5646Fa-Yin Wang4https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4157-7714School of Astronomy and Space Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing , 210023, People's Republic of China ; fayinwang@nju.edu.cnSchool of Astronomy and Space Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing , 210023, People's Republic of China ; fayinwang@nju.edu.cnSchool of Astronomy and Space Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing , 210023, People's Republic of China ; fayinwang@nju.edu.cnSchool of Physics and Physical Engineering, Qufu Normal University , Qufu 273165, People's Republic of ChinaSchool of Astronomy and Space Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing , 210023, People's Republic of China ; fayinwang@nju.edu.cn; Key Laboratory of Modern Astronomy and Astrophysics (Nanjing University) Ministry of Education , People's Republic of ChinaStructure function (SF) analysis is a powerful tool for studying plasma turbulence. Theoretically, the SF of Faraday rotation measure (RM) is expected to include a geometric component due to the relative orientation of sight lines through an ordered magnetic field. However, observational evidence for this component remains elusive. Here, we report that the SFs of the binary PSR B1744–24A and the repeating fast radio burst (FRB) 20201124A exhibit both a periodic geometric component, caused by binary orbital motion, and a flat statistical component. The statistical component, induced by stochastic fluctuations in electron density and magnetic field, aligns with RM scatter derived from pulse depolarization. These findings indicate that FRB 20201124A has a binary origin and suggest that the periodic geometric component can serve as a diagnostic tool to identify binary companions.https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/adabc2Radio transient sourcesMagnetic fieldsInterstellar mediumRadio bursts |
| spellingShingle | Rui-Nan Li Zhen-Yin Zhao Qin Wu Shuang-Xi Yi Fa-Yin Wang Structure Functions of Rotation Measures Revealing the Origin of Fast Radio Bursts The Astrophysical Journal Letters Radio transient sources Magnetic fields Interstellar medium Radio bursts |
| title | Structure Functions of Rotation Measures Revealing the Origin of Fast Radio Bursts |
| title_full | Structure Functions of Rotation Measures Revealing the Origin of Fast Radio Bursts |
| title_fullStr | Structure Functions of Rotation Measures Revealing the Origin of Fast Radio Bursts |
| title_full_unstemmed | Structure Functions of Rotation Measures Revealing the Origin of Fast Radio Bursts |
| title_short | Structure Functions of Rotation Measures Revealing the Origin of Fast Radio Bursts |
| title_sort | structure functions of rotation measures revealing the origin of fast radio bursts |
| topic | Radio transient sources Magnetic fields Interstellar medium Radio bursts |
| url | https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/adabc2 |
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