Understanding recent observations of isolated magnetars and accreting magnetars from the magnetospheric point of view

Abstract

The wind braking model and its applications of magnetars are discussed. The decreasing torque of magnetars during outbursts, anti-glitch, and anti-correlations between radiation and timing are understandable in the wind braking model. Recent timing observations of magnetars are also consistent with the previous modeling. A magnetism-powered wind nebula and a braking index smaller than three are the two predictions. Besides isolated magnetars, there may also be accreting magnetars in binary systems and magnetars accreting from fallback disks. Observationally, ultra-luminous X-ray pulsars may be accreting magnetars, while super-slow magnetars may be magnetars with fallback disks in the past. Many works are needed for both isolated magnetars and accreting magnetars.

5 pages, submitted to the conference proceeding of "Quarks and Compact Stars 2017 (Kyoto, Japan)"