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Main Authors: Sharma, Praveen, Turyshev, Slava G., Barkov, Maxim V., Lyutikov, Maxim
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
Subjects:
Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.14300
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author Sharma, Praveen
Turyshev, Slava G.
Barkov, Maxim V.
Lyutikov, Maxim
author_facet Sharma, Praveen
Turyshev, Slava G.
Barkov, Maxim V.
Lyutikov, Maxim
contents We demonstrate that magnetospheric interactions between merging neutron stars (NSs) generate dual-jetted current outflows, analogous to the Alfvén wings observed during planetary interactions in the Solar System. Using 3D relativistic MHD simulations, we model the interaction as a conducting sphere moving through a highly magnetized plasma of the companion's magnetosphere. Unusually, the interaction operates in a regime that is relativistic yet sub-Alfvénic. Electromagnetic draping amplifies magnetic fields in a narrow layer near the stellar surface, leading to the generation of electric currents along the local magnetic field. The generation of beamed outflows enhances the instantaneous power of the pulsar-like radio and high-energy emission, produces spin/orbital modulations, and is likely to lead to observable precursor emission preceding the main gravitational wave event.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2602_14300
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Production of Jets before Neutron Star Mergers
Sharma, Praveen
Turyshev, Slava G.
Barkov, Maxim V.
Lyutikov, Maxim
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
We demonstrate that magnetospheric interactions between merging neutron stars (NSs) generate dual-jetted current outflows, analogous to the Alfvén wings observed during planetary interactions in the Solar System. Using 3D relativistic MHD simulations, we model the interaction as a conducting sphere moving through a highly magnetized plasma of the companion's magnetosphere. Unusually, the interaction operates in a regime that is relativistic yet sub-Alfvénic. Electromagnetic draping amplifies magnetic fields in a narrow layer near the stellar surface, leading to the generation of electric currents along the local magnetic field. The generation of beamed outflows enhances the instantaneous power of the pulsar-like radio and high-energy emission, produces spin/orbital modulations, and is likely to lead to observable precursor emission preceding the main gravitational wave event.
title Production of Jets before Neutron Star Mergers
topic High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.14300