Physics

Magnetic field

Optics

Electromagnetic radiation

Amplitude

Scattering

Neutron star

Astrophysics

Quantum mechanics

Computational physics

Magnetar

Radio wave

Physical Review Letters

Observations of powerful radio waves from neutron star magnetospheres raise the question of how strong waves interact with particles in a strong background magnetic field B_{bg}. This problem is examined by solving the particle motion in the wave. Remarkably, waves with amplitudes E_{0}>B_{bg} pump particle energy via repeating resonance events, quickly reaching the radiation reaction limit. As a result, the wave is scattered with a huge cross section. This fact has implications for models of fast radio bursts and magnetars. Particles accelerated in the wave emit γ rays, which can trigger an e^{±} avalanche and, instead of silent escape, the wave will produce x-ray fireworks.

Scattering of Ultrastrong Electromagnetic Waves by Magnetized Particles