The Braking Index of Millisecond Magnetars

We make the first measurement of the braking index n of two putative millisecond magnetars born in short gamma-ray bursts. We measure n = 2.9 ± 0.1 and n = 2.6 ± 0.1 for millisecond magnetars born in GRB 130603B and GRB 140903A, respectively. The neutron star born in GRB 130603B has the only known a braking index consistent with the fiducial n = 3 value. This value is ruled out with 99.95% confidence for GRB 140903A. We discuss possible causes of braking indices in millisecond magnetars, showing that several models can account for the measurement of the braking index in GRB 140903A, while it is more difficult to account for a braking index consistent with n = 3.