Anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs) and soft gamma-ray repeaters (SGRs) are believed to be magnetars: peculiar neutron stars powered by their super strong magnetic field. Unfortunately, none of the predictions of traditional magnetar models successfully explain their properties. In a recent paper (Tong et al. 2013, ApJ, 768, 144), the group of Prof. Renxin Xu (PKU Department of Astronomy, with joint appointment at the KIAA), in collaboration with Dr. Hao Tong of the Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory, suggested wind braking in magnetars: the energy release generates a strong wind which may result in both an anomalous X-ray luminosity and significantly enhanced spindown. This wind braking scenario provides a natural understanding of the multiwavelength observational behavior of AXPs and SGRs. The plot at right shows AXPs and SGRs as blue squares.
