A Unified Model for the Emission of Supernova-Associated Fast X-ray Transients: Case Studies of EP240414a, EP250108a, and GRB~171205A

Abstract

The Einstein Probe (EP) has detected several Fast X-ray Transients (FXTs) associated with broad-lined Type Ic supernovae (SNe), including EP240414a and EP250108a. The observations reveal common features among these FXTs, but the corresponding physical origin remains debated. By comparing the FXTs with low-luminosity gamma-ray bursts (e.g., GRB 171205A), we propose a unified model that explains the common features in these events. In this model, a rapidly spinning magnetar generates a collimated Poynting flux-dominated jet and an isotropic wind. As the jet propagates through the stellar envelope, it generates a hot cocoon. In addition, a pulsar wind nebula (PWN) is formed during the interaction of the wind and the ejecta. As the surrounding cocoon gradually becomes transparent, the emission from the PWN escapes and is observed. This model provides a unified explanation for the observations: (1) Early thermal emission originates from the cocoon; (2) Mid-term non-thermal emission comes from the PWN; (3) Late-term emission originates from SNe driven by $^{56}$Ni radioactive decay and magnetar. (4) The X-ray afterglows originate from the structured jet. Our research thus provides a natural explanation for the observed thermal-to-nonthermal evolution in such FXTs and reveals their shared physical origin with some GRB-SNe.