Soft gamma repeaters/anomalous X-ray pulsars -are they magnetars?

摘要

The observational properties of Soft Gamma Repeaters and Anomalous X-ray Pulsars (SGR/AXP) indicate the necessity of an energy source different from the rotational energy of a neutron star. The model, where the source of the energy is connected with a magnetic field dissipation in a highly magnetized neutron star (magnetar) is analyzed. Some observational inconsistencies are indicated for this interpretation. The alternative energy source, connected with the nuclear energy of superheavy nuclei stored in the nonequilibrium layer of low mass neutron star is discussed.