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Bibliographic Details
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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Table of 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.