Decoding the Enigma of Magnetar X-Rays: Quantum Metamorphosis Revealed

Astrophysicist Dong Lai proposes that a quantum electrodynamics effect called "photon metamorphosis" explains the observed X-ray polarization from a magnetar, a neutron star with a strong magnetic field. Lai's theory suggests that X-ray photons passing through the magnetar's magnetized atmosphere can temporarily transform into pairs of virtual electrons and positrons, resulting in different polarizations for low and high-energy X-rays. This phenomenon, known as vacuum birefringence, provides insights into the behavior of matter in extreme conditions and helps scientists understand the nature of magnetars and neutron stars.