2026/07/30 by Sergei V. Bulanov, Gabriele Maria Grittani, Marcel Lamac +7
Physics and Astronomy · #physics.space-ph #astro-ph.HE #physics.plasm-ph
25 pages, 6 figures
arxiv created 2026/07/30 · arxiv updated 2026/07/31
We propose a mechanism for fast radio bursts based on photon acceleration by relativistic shocks propagating through highly magnetized electron--positron plasmas, as expected in magnetar magnetospheres. Density modulations at the shock front create relativistically moving refractive-index perturbations that transform low-frequency electromagnetic precursors into amplified high-frequency radiation. We show that the predicted frequencies, durations, and energetics of the resulting fast radio bursts are consistent with the magnetic-field strengths, shock Lorentz factors, and characteristic spatial scales expected in magnetar magnetospheres.