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This content will become publicly available on July 17, 2026

Title: CHIME/Fast Radio Burst Discovery of an Unusual Circularly Polarized Long-period Radio Transient with an Accelerating Spin Period
Abstract We report the discovery of CHIME J1634+44, a long-period radio transient (LPT) unique for two aspects: it is the first known LPT to emit fully circularly polarized radio bursts, and it is the first LPT with a significant spin-up. Given that high circular polarization (>90%) has been observed in FRB 20201124A and in some giant pulses of PSR B1937+21, we discuss the implications of the high circular polarization of CHIME J1634+44 and conclude its emission mechanism is likely to be “pulsar-like.” While CHIME J1634+44 has a pulse period of 841 s, its burst arrival patterns are indicative of a secondary 4206 s period, probably associated with binary activity. The timing properties suggest it has a significantly negative period derivative of P ̇ = 9.03 ( 0.11 ) × 10 - 12 s s−1. Few systems have been known to spin up, most notably transitional millisecond pulsars and cataclysmic binaries, both of which seem unlikely progenitors for CHIME J1634+44. If the period was only associated with the spin of the object, then the spin-up is likely generated by accretion of material from a companion. If, however, the radio pulse period and the orbital period are locked, as appears to be the case for two other LPTs, the spin-up of CHIME J1634+44 could be driven by gravitational-wave radiation.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2407399
PAR ID:
10629930
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; more » ; ; ; « less
Publisher / Repository:
American Astronomical Society
Date Published:
Journal Name:
The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Volume:
988
Issue:
1
ISSN:
2041-8205
Page Range / eLocation ID:
L29
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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