Unveiling the Origins of Fast Radio Bursts

Mohit Bhardwaj

Postdoctoral fellow, Carnegie Mellon University

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are a promising new frontier in astrophysics. Coming from cosmological distances, these extremely energetic millisecond-duration radio pulses have the potential to become a powerful new probe of the distribution of ionized baryons in the cosmic web, as well as a means of exploring the tenuous gas in the circumgalactic medium of galaxies. However, despite nearly two decades since their serendipitous discovery, the origins of FRBs remain an enduring enigma in astronomy. In this talk, I delve into our current understanding of FRB origins, focusing on the ongoing debate surrounding their formation mechanisms. A plethora of models has been proposed to shed light on their origins, encompassing both cataclysmic and non-cataclysmic formation channels. Specifically within the non-cataclysmic framework, I present results that provide valuable insights into whether FRBs arise shortly after the death of progenitor stars or originate from recycled compact objects. Additionally, I underscore the crucial role of local Universe FRBs in addressing the FRB origin problem. Finally, I highlight the significance of multi-messenger follow-up studies in the upcoming wide-sky FRB survey era, which will enable us to establish robust connections between FRB sources and their stellar progenitors, shedding light on the final stages of a star's life.

Date:	Thursday, 21 March 2024
Time:	12:30
Where:	Université de Montréal
	Pavillon MIL A-3521