X-ray transients (XTs) driven by newborn magnetars from mergers of neutron star binaries (NSBs) were occasionally detected in the narrow-field {\it Chandra} Deep Field-South survey (CDF-S) and the {\it Swift}/XRT observations of short gamma-ray bursts (sGRBs). Quantifying their event rate density (ERD) and luminosity function (LF) is critical for understanding NSB coalescence and magnetar formation. Utilizing population synthesis calculations incorporating various equations of state (EoS), we derive a local ERD of ∼300Gpc−3yr−1 and a redshift-dependent ERD profile peaking at z=1.81 followed by rapid decline beyond z∼4. Constructing an XT sample based on CDF-S and {\it Swift} observations, we characterize the LF by a single power-law function at L≤4.75×1046ergs−1 with a slope of −1.03, following by a broken power-law function in which the break luminosity is Lb=4.38×1047ergs−1 and the slopes are −0.28 and −1.66. Based on the ERD and the LF, we estimate that the {\it Einstein Probe} ({\it EP}) detection rate is ∼31yr−1, adopting a conservative threshold flux of 10−9ergs−1, an luminosity range of L∈[2×1044,2×1049]ergs−1, and a correction for jet opening angle of ∼16∘. This detection rate is consistent with the {\it EP} observations during its first-year operation. It is important to note that our estimation is subject to uncertainties arising from the LF derivation. Future {\it EP} observations of these XT events will be crucial in reducing these uncertainties.
@article{arxiv.2505.02097,
title = {Event Rate Density and Luminosity Function of Newborn-Magnetar-Driven X-Ray Transients from Neutron Star Binary Mergers},
author = {Le Zou and Ji-Gui Cheng and Rui-Chong Hu and Wen-Jin Xie and En-Wei Liang},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2505.02097},
year = {2025}
}
Comments
16 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ