The Physics of Fast Radio Bursts
Speaker: Bing Zhang
Abstract:
Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are mysterious cosmological millisecond-duration bursts in the radio band. In this talk, I will review the latest observational status in the field including the identification of a Galactic magnetar as the source of FRBs. I will also review our current understanding of the physical mechanisms of FRBs in reference to two related astrophysical phenomena, namely, radio pulsars and gamma-ray bursts. I will discuss the observational evidence in favor of FRB emission involving neutron star magnetospheres. Some ideas and issues of various radiation mechanisms for FRBs will be critically discussed. Several open questions in the field regarding repeaters vs. non-repeaters and whether there are engines other than magnetars will be presented.