{
  "abstract": "Recent observations have identified a new class of long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) likely produced by compact binary mergers. Using radio observations and lightcurve modelling, we investigate whether a magnetar remnant can power the long-lasting prompt emission observed in this merger-driven GRB sample. We derive constraints on the magnetars' rotational energy and magnetic-field strength, and assess whether the magnetar central-engine model is viable for the observed events. We conducted 2.1 GHz radio observations of seven nearby merger-driven GRBs ($z<0.25$) using the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA), obtaining sensitive upper limits on late-time radio emission 520-6900 days post-burst. We modelled the expected radio light curves from magnetar-energized ejecta interacting with the circumburst medium and compared them to our observations. We separately tested the magnetar hypothesis against the extended gamma-ray emission using a fallback-accreting magnetar model. No radio counterpart is detected in any of the observed GRBs, with 3$σ$ flux density upper limits of 33-72 $μ$Jy at 2.1 GHz. Modelling the expected synchrotron emission from magnetar-energized ejecta interacting with the circumburst medium, we find that the radio non-detections remain compatible with energetic outflows in low-density environments. The analysis of the prompt gamma-ray emission provides complementary constraints on the spin period and magnetic field of the magnetar engine. Once fallback accretion and jet baryon-loading are considered, the parameter space is narrowly confined.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": "2609.17507",
  "author_total": 7,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Muskan Yadav"
    },
    {
      "name": "Roberto Ricci"
    },
    {
      "name": "Paz Beniamini"
    },
    {
      "name": "Hira Waseem"
    },
    {
      "name": "Tatsuya Matsumoto"
    },
    {
      "name": "Simone Dichiara"
    },
    {
      "name": "Eleonora Troja"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7n9ydddwm2sd4.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.48550/arxiv.2609.17507",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "7n9ydddwm2sd4",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.17507",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": "CC0-1.0",
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "arxiv",
      "astro-ph.HE"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": null,
  "pdf_url": "https://arxiv.org/pdf/2609.17507",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-15",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7n9ydddwm2sd4.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:21:41Z",
      "native_id": "2609.17507",
      "source": "arxiv",
      "url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.17507"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "astronomy",
      "origin": "arxiv:astro-ph.HE",
      "subfield": "high-energy-astrophysics"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Constraints on the central engine of merger-driven long gamma-ray bursts",
  "title_text": "Constraints on the central engine of merger-driven long gamma-ray bursts",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:21:41Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7n9ydddwm2sd4",
  "venue": "arXiv",
  "versions": []
}