2025A&A...701A.278W -
Astronomy and Astrophysics, volume 701A278 (2025/9-1)
Plasma lens with frequency-dependent dispersion measure effects on fast radio bursts.
WANG Y.-B., ZHOU X. and KURBAN A.
Abstract (from CDS):
Radio signals propagating through inhomogeneous plasma media deviate from their original paths, producing frequency-dependent magnification effects. In this paper, after reviewing the classical plasma-lensing theory, we have found a fundamental contradiction: the classical model assumes that the distribution of lensing plasma medium is related to the frequency-independent image position; however, our analysis demonstrates that both the image position (θ(ν)) and dispersion measure (DM(ν)) are inherently frequency-dependent when signals traverse a structured plasma medium. We have been able to resolve this paradox by developing a framework that explicitly incorporates frequency-dependent dispersion measures (DMs) following power-law relationships (DM ∝ ν^γ^). Our analysis shows that the signal magnification decreases systematically with decreasing frequency, offering a plausible explanation for the frequency-dependent peak flux densities observed in fast radio bursts (FRBs), particularly in the case of the repeating FRB 180814.J0422+73. Our results suggest these FRBs could originate from the magnetized compact star magnetospheres. By considering these plasma-lensing effects on the sub-pulses of an FRB across different frequencies, we have the ability to more accurately investigate the intrinsic properties of FRBs via precise measurements of radio signals.
Abstract Copyright:
© The Authors 2025
Journal keyword(s):
gravitational lensing: weak - scattering - methods: analytical - methods: numerical - stars: magnetars - ISM: structure
Simbad objects:
8
Full paper
View the references in ADS
To bookmark this query, right click on this link: simbad:2025A&A...701A.278W and select 'bookmark this link' or equivalent in the popup menu