Observations Of GRBs Research Articles

Very high energy gamma-rays from GRB 180720B and GRB 190829A with external Compton emission

ABSTRACT Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) comprise short, bright, energetic flashes of emission from extragalactic sources followed by a longer afterglow phase of decreased brightness. Recent discoveries of very high energy (VHE, ≳100 GeV) afterglow emission from GRB 180720B and GRB 190829A by the High Energy Stereoscopic System have raised questions regarding the emission mechanism responsible. We interpret this observed late-time emission to be the result of inverse Compton emission of ultrarelativistic electrons in the GRB blast wave in an external radiation field, i.e. external Compton (EC), considering both the wind and interstellar medium scenarios. We present predictions of multiwavelength light curves and energy spectra, ranging from optical to VHE, and include the synchrotron and synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) radiation mechanisms as well. We corrected the EC and SSC models for the gamma-ray attenuation by absorption of photons through their interaction with the extragalactic background light. We compared our results to multiwavelength data and found that EC gives a satisfactory fit for a given set of fixed model parameters for GRB 180720B, whereas SSC results in a better fit for GRB 190829A. For both GRBs, a wind environment is preferred over constant-density interstellar medium, and the cosmic microwave background as the external radiation field. However, with more data and an effective optimization tool we can find a more robust fit of the model, implying better constraints on the GRB environment and the particle energy requirements for the emission observed at late times. This has consequences for future observations of GRBs at these extreme energies.

Search for merger ejecta emission from late-time radio observations of short GRBs using GMRT

ABSTRACT In some cases, the merger of two neutron stars can produce a rapidly rotating and highly magnetized millisecond magnetar. A significant proportion of the rotational energy deposited to the emerging ejecta can produce a late-time radio brightening from interacting with the ambient medium. Detection of this late-time radio emission from short GRBs can have profound implications for understanding the physics of the progenitor. We report the radio observations of five short GRBs – 050709, 061210, 100625A, 140903A, and 160821B using the legacy Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) at 1250, 610, and 325 MHz frequencies and the upgraded-GMRT (uGMRT) at band 5 (1050–1450 MHz) and band 4 (550–900 MHz) after ∼2–11 yr from the time of the burst. The GMRT observations at low frequencies are particularly important to detect the signature of merger ejecta emission at the peak. These observations are the most delayed searches associated with some GRBs for any late-time low-frequency emission. We find no evidence for such an emission. We find that none of these GRBs is consistent with maximally rotating magnetar with a rotational energy of $\sim 10^{53}\, {\rm erg}$. However, magnetars with lower rotational energies cannot be completely ruled out. Despite the non-detection, our study underscores the power of radio observations in the search for magnetar signatures associated with short GRBs. However, only future radio observatories may be able to detect these signatures or put more stringent constraints on the model.

Directional-Sensitive X-ray/Gamma-ray Imager on Board the VZLUSAT-2 CubeSat for Wide Field-of-View Observation of GRBs in Low Earth Orbit

We present a miniaturized and wide field-of-view X-ray and Gamma-ray imager consisting of a segmented 2D optics-collimator coupled to the high-sensitivity semiconductor pixel detector Timepix equipped with a high-Z sensor (CdTe 2000 μm thick). The compact payload has been deployed in low-Earth orbit (LEO) onboard the 3U Cubesat VZLUSAT-2 which was launched on 13 January 2022. The instrument is designed to verify small spacecraft borne observation in open space of hard X-ray and Gamma-ray sources both of celestial and atmospheric origin. High-resolution spectral-sensitive X-ray and Gamma-ray images are provided with enhanced event discrimination and wide field-of-view up to 60°. Description of the instrument together with response evaluation and tests in ground with well-defined sources are presented. The intended observational plan for in-orbit measurements is outlined along with astrophysical goals and issues.

The beam test of anticoincidence scintillation detector prototype with SiPM readout and perspectives of GRBs studies for space-based gamma-ray telescope GAMMA-400

The GAMMA-400 project will be the new generation of satellite gamma-observatory. GAMMA-400 space-based gamma-ray telescope represents the core of the scientific complex intended to perform a search for signatures of dark matter in the cosmic gamma-emission, measurements of diffuse gamma-emission characteristics, investigation of extended and point gamma-ray sources, studying of high energy component of gamma-ray bursts and solar flares emission. Four fast plastic sub-detectors of the gamma-ray telescope are included in fast trigger logic in the main telescope aperture. This aperture expected angular and energy resolution are ∼0.01° and ∼1-2% respectively for gammas with the energy >100 GeV and electron/protons rejection factor ∼5-105. Prototype of anticoincidence detector based on long BC-408 scintillators with SiPM readout for gamma-ray telescope was tested on a 300 MeV secondary positron beam of synchrotron C-25P «PAKHRA» of Lebedev Physical Institute in Russia. The measurement setup, design concepts for the prototype detector and chosen solutions together with some test results are discussed. Two other apertures (additional and lateral) allow analyzing transient events not required precision angular resolution, for examples, GRBs and solar flares. Similar plastics sub-detectors included in their fast trigger logic. Using of all three apertures allows making more effective observations of GRBs (better signal to noise ratio), more detailed study of its high energy afterglow due long term measurements (because of high apogee orbit provides low background variations with time) and detailed analysis of the sources luminosity variability (spectral, angular and temporal).

Highlights from the HAWC Observatory

The High Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) observatory is a wide-field survey instrument sensitive to gamma rays and cosmic rays in the energy range from ∼100 GeV to > 100 TeV. Located in the state of Puebla, Mexico at 4100 m above sea level, HAWC has been fully operational for over three years, since its inauguration in March 2015. This work highlights recent results from HAWC, including both Galactic and extragalactic gamma-ray sources as well as cosmic-ray observations. It also highlights HAWC's role in several multimessenger studies, focusing on what we can learn in conjunction with neutrinos observed by IceCube and HAWC observations of GRBs in the context of gravitational waves.

Neutrino-dark matter scattering and coincident detections of UHE neutrinos with EM sources

The scattering of neutrinos off dark matter can induce time delays in their propagation compared to that of photons, which would wash out correlations between ultra-high-energy neutrinos and electromagnetic observations of their sources—while preserving the observed diffuse neutrino flux. This may explain the significant discrepancy between predictions of neutrino fluxes from gamma ray bursts and the lack of neutrinos correlated with EM observations of GRBs. Conversely, the detection of an UHE neutrino in association with a source provides a strong constraint on such interactions. We consider an effective model of dark photon dark matter interacting with neutrinos which exhibits this effect.

Time-resolved GRB polarization with POLAR and GBM

Context. Simultaneousγ-ray measurements ofγ-ray burst spectra and polarization offer a unique way to determine the underlying emission mechanism(s) in these objects, as well as probing the particle acceleration mechanism(s) that lead to the observedγ-ray emission.Aims. We examine the jointly observed data from POLAR andFermi-GBM of GRB 170114A to determine its spectral and polarization properties, and seek to understand the emission processes that generate these observations. We aim to develop an extensible and statistically sound framework for these types of measurements applicable to other instruments.Methods. We leveraged the existing3MLanalysis framework to develop a new analysis pipeline for simultaneously modeling the spectral and polarization data. We derived the proper Poisson likelihood forγ-ray polarization measurements in the presence of background. The developed framework is publicly available for similar measurements with otherγ-ray polarimeters. The data are analyzed within a Bayesian probabilistic context and the spectral data from both instruments are simultaneously modeled with a physical, numerical synchrotron code.Results. The spectral modeling of the data is consistent with a synchrotron photon model as has been found in a majority of similarly analyzed single-pulse gamma-ray bursts. The polarization results reveal a slight trend of growing polarization in time reaching values of ∼30% at the temporal peak of the emission. We also observed that the polarization angle evolves with time throughout the emission. These results suggest a synchrotron origin of the emission but further observations of many GRBs are required to verify these evolutionary trends. Furthermore, we encourage the development of time-resolved polarization models for the prompt emission of gamma-ray bursts as the current models are not predictive enough to enable a full modeling of our current data.

A Reverse Shock and Unusual Radio Properties in GRB 160625B

Abstract We present multi-wavelength observations and modeling of the exceptionally bright long γ-ray burst GRB 160625B. The optical and X-ray data are well fit by synchrotron emission from a collimated blastwave with an opening angle of and kinetic energy of erg, propagating into a low-density ( cm−3) medium with a uniform profile. The forward shock is sub-dominant in the radio band; instead, the radio emission is dominated by two additional components. The first component is consistent with emission from a reverse shock, indicating an initial Lorentz factor of and an ejecta magnetization of . The second component exhibits peculiar spectral and temporal evolution and is most likely the result of scattering of the radio emission by the turbulent Milky Way interstellar medium (ISM). Such scattering is expected in any sufficiently compact extragalactic source and has been seen in GRBs before, but the large amplitude and long duration of the variability seen here are qualitatively more similar to extreme scattering events previously observed in quasars, rather than normal interstellar scintillation effects. High-cadence, broadband radio observations of future GRBs are needed to fully characterize such effects, which can sensitively probe the properties of the ISM and must be taken into account before variability intrinsic to the GRB can be interpreted correctly.

Searching for Magnetar-powered Merger-novae from Short GRBS

Abstract The merger of a double neutron star (NS–NS) binary may result in a rapidly rotating massive NS with an extremely strong magnetic field (i.e., a millisecond magnetar). In this case, the magnetic spin-down of the NS remnant provides an additional source of sustained energy injection, which would continuously power the merger ejecta. The thermal emission from the merger ejecta would give rise to a bright optical “magnetar-powered merger-nova.” In this work, we carry out a complete search for magnetar-powered merger-nova from a Swift short gamma-ray burst sample. We focus on short GRBs with extended emission or internal plateau, which may signify the presence of magnetars as the central engine. We eventually find three candidates of magnetar-powered merger-nova from the late observations of GRB 050724, GRB 070714B, and GRB 061006. With standard parameter values, the magnetar remnant scenario could well interpret the multi-band data of all three bursts, including the extended emission and their late chromatic features in the optical and X-ray data. The peak luminosities of these merger-novae reach several times , more than one order of magnitude brighter than the traditional “kilo-novae” with peak luminosity of . Intense, multi-color, late-time observations of short GRBs are encouraged to identify more merger-novae in the future.

NON-THERMAL GAMMA-RAY EMISSION FROM DELAYED PAIR BREAKDOWN IN A MAGNETIZED AND PHOTON-RICH OUTFLOW

We consider delayed, volumetric heating in a magnetized outflow that has broken out of a confining medium and expanded to a high Lorentz factor ($\Gamma \sim 10^2-10^3$) and low optical depth to scattering ($\tau_{\rm T} \sim 10^{-3}-10^{-2}$). The energy flux at breakout is dominated by the magnetic field, with a modest contribution from quasi-thermal gamma rays whose spectrum was calculated in Paper I. We focus on the case of extreme baryon depletion in the magnetized material, but allow for a separate baryonic component that is entrained from a confining medium. Dissipation is driven by relativistic motion between these two components, which develops once the photon compactness drops below $ 4\times 10^3(Y_e/0.5)^{-1}$. We first calculate the acceleration of the magnetized component following breakout, showing that embedded MHD turbulence provides significant inertia, the neglect of which leads to unrealistically high estimates of flow Lorentz factor. After re-heating begins, the pair and photon distributions are evolved self-consistently using a one-zone kinetic code that incorporates an exact treatment of Compton scattering, pair production and annihilation, and Coulomb scattering. Heating leads to a surge in pair creation, and the scattering depth saturates at $\tau_{\rm T} \sim$ 1-4. The plasma maintains a very low ratio of particle to magnetic pressure, and can support strong anisotropy in the charged particle distribution, with cooling dominated by Compton scattering. High-energy power-law spectra with photon indices in the range observed in GRBs ($-3 < \beta < -3/2$) are obtained by varying the ratio of heat input to the seed energy in quasi-thermal photons. We contrast our results with those for continuous heating across an expanding photosphere, and show that the latter model produces soft-hard evolution that is inconsistent with observations of GRBs.

A REVERSE SHOCK IN GRB 130427A

We present extensive radio and millimeter observations of the unusually bright GRB 130427A at z=0.340, spanning 0.67 to 12 days after the burst. Taken in conjunction with detailed multi-band UV, optical, NIR, and X-ray observations we find that the broad-band afterglow emission is composed of distinct reverse shock and forward shock contributions. The reverse shock emission dominates in the radio/millimeter and at <0.1 days in the UV/optical/NIR, while the forward shock emission dominates in the X-rays and at >0.1 days in the UV/optical/NIR. We further find that the optical and X-ray data require a Wind circumburst environment, pointing to a massive star progenitor. Using the combined forward and reverse shock emission we find that the parameters of the burst are an isotropic kinetic energy of E_Kiso~2e53 erg, a mass loss rate of Mdot~3e-8 Msun/yr (for a wind velocity of 1,000 km/s), and a Lorentz factor at the deceleration time of Gamma(200s)~130. Due to the low density and large isotropic energy, the absence of a jet break to ~15 days places only a weak constraint on the opening angle of theta_j>2.5 deg, and therefore a total energy of E_gamma+E_K>1.2e51 erg, similar to other GRBs. The reverse shock emission is detectable in this burst due to the low circumburst density, which leads to a slow cooling shock. We speculate that this is a required property for the detectability of reverse shocks in the radio and millimeter bands. Following on GRB 130427A as a benchmark event, observations of future GRBs with the exquisite sensitivity of VLA and ALMA, coupled with detailed modeling of the reverse and forward shock contributions will test this hypothesis.

Prospects for the detection of GRBs with HAWC

Fermi LAT has shown that GRBs produce photons in the range 10–94GeV (126GeV redshift corrected for GRB 130427A). Limited detector size constrains the sensitivity of space borne instruments at the highest energies. Ground based instruments can extend observations from 30GeV to 300GeV. Higher energy observations of GRBs would enable better modeling of the GRBs themselves, it would allow us to probe the extragalactic background light and would constrain Lorentz invariance violation. We show here that the air shower array HAWC, currently under construction, will be mostly sensitive to the prompt phase of short GRBs and that it can have a rate for detecting GRBs as high as 1.65GRBs/year.

FermiandSwiftObservations of Short GRBs

The Fermi and Swift satellites offer unique, and complementary capabilities for the study of short GRBs. Here, I briefly summarize the current status of Fermi and Swift observations of short GRBs, and outline some highlights, focusing on the prompt emission phase.

GRB–SN Connection in SAO RAS Observations

We present the results of SAO RAS 6-m BTA spectral observations of GRBs and XRFs with the signs of SNe: GRB/XRF 060218 (SN 2006aj) and XRF 080109 (SN 2008D). The properties of these events are similar to those of usual core-collapse SNe without GRBs. Some spectral features in the cases of SN 2006aj and SN 2008D may be interpreted as hydrogen and helium traces. This supports an idea of presence of a relic envelope around the progenitor star and the shock break-out effects observed in X-rays, UV and optics.

Implications of early time observations of optical afterglows of GRBs

Optical observations of afterglows at very times are very useful towards understanding the least known problem of GRB research field i.e. the transition from prompt emission to early afterglows. The comparison of a subset of well-monitored GRBs and their early time properties at optical are compared with that seen at XRT and BAT wavelengths. In most of the observed cases, the very early optical observations of GRBs do not trace the canonical decay nature seen at XRT wavelengths, suggesting different origins for the observed early emissions in the two bands. In some of the early optical light-curves, the decay followed by smooth rise features are consistent with the onset of the afterglow although such features are also expected if the emission is seen off-axis and/or the outflow is structured.

TheSwiftX-ray Telescope Cluster Survey: data reduction and cluster catalog for the GRB fields

(abridged) We present a new sample of X-ray selected galaxy groups and clusters serendipitously observed with Swift and the X-ray Telescope (XRT). We searched the XRT archive for extended sources among 336 GRB fields with galactic latitude |b|>20{\deg}. Our selection algorithm yields a flux-limited sample of 72 X-ray groups and clusters with a well defined selection function and negligible contamination. The sky coverage of the survey goes from the total 40 deg^2 to 1 deg^2 at a flux limit of 10^-14 erg/s/cm^-2 (0.5-2 keV). Here we describe the XRT data processing, the statistical calibration of the survey, and the catalog of detected cluster candidates. All the X-ray sources are detected in the Swift-XRT soft (0.5-2 keV) band. A size parameter defined as the half power radius (HPR) measured inside a box of 45x45 arcsec, is assigned to each source. We select extended sources by applying a threshold on the Half Power Radius and we calibrate its dependence on the measured net counts and on the image background with extensive simulations in order to identify all the sources with ~99% probability of being extended. We compute the logN-logS of our sample, finding very good agreement with previous deep cluster surveys. A cross correlation with published X-ray catalogs shows that only 9 sources were already detected, none of them as extended. Therefore, ~90% of our sources are new X-ray detections. We also cross correlated our sources with optical catalogs, finding 20 previously identified clusters. Overall, about ~65% of our sources are new detections. The XRT follow-up observation of GRBs is providing an excellent serendipitous survey for groups and clusters of galaxies, mainly thanks to the low background of XRT and its constant angular resolution across the field of view. About 33% of the sample has spectroscopic or photometric redshifts from public optical surveys.

THE AFTERGLOW AND ENVIRONMENT OF THE SHORT GRB 111117A

We present multi-wavelength observations of the afterglow of the short GRB111117A, and follow-up observations of its host galaxy. From rapid optical and radio observations we place limits of r \gtrsim 25.5 mag at \deltat \approx 0.55 d and F_nu(5.8 GHz) < 18 \muJy at \deltat \approx 0.50 d, respectively. However, using a Chandra observation at t~3.0 d we locate the absolute position of the X-ray afterglow to an accuracy of 0.22" (1 sigma), a factor of about 6 times better than the Swift-XRT position. This allows us to robustly identify the host galaxy and to locate the burst at a projected offset of 1.25 +/- 0.20" from the host centroid. Using optical and near-IR observations of the host galaxy we determine a photometric redshift of z=1.3 (+0.3,-0.2), one of the highest for any short GRB, and leading to a projected physical offset for the burst of 10.5 +/- 1.7 kpc, typical of previous short GRBs. At this redshift, the isotropic gamma-ray energy is E_{gamma,iso} \approx 3\times10^51 erg (rest-frame 23-2300 keV) with a peak energy of E_{pk} \approx 850-2300 keV (rest-frame). In conjunction with the isotropic X-ray energy, GRB111117A appears to follow our recently-reported E_x,iso-E_gamma,iso-E_pk universal scaling. Using the X-ray data along with the optical and radio non-detections we find that for a blastwave kinetic energy of E_{K,iso} \approx E_{gamma,iso}, the circumburst density is n_0 \sim 3x10^(-4)-1 cm^-3 (for a range of epsilon_B=0.001-0.1). Similarly, from the non-detection of a break in the X-ray light curve at t<3 d, we infer a minimum opening angle for the outflow of theta_j> 3-10 degrees (depending on the circumburst density). We conclude that Chandra observations of short GRBs are effective at determining precise positions and robust host galaxy associations in the absence of optical and radio detections.

A unified constraint on the Lorentz invariance violation from both short and long GRBs

Possible Lorentz invariance violation (LIV) has been investigated for a long time based on observations of GRBs. These arguments relied on the assumption that photons with different energy are emitted at the same place and time. In this work, we try to take account of the intrinsic time delay Δtint between emissions of low and high energy photons by using the magnetic jet model. The possible LIV effects are discussed in a unified scenario both for long and short Fermi-detected GRBs. This leads to a unique quantum gravity energy scale M1c2∼1.0×1020GeV respecting the linear dispersion relation.

Pre-ALMA observations of GRBs in the mm/submm range

GRBs generate an afterglow emission that can be detected from radio to X-rays during days, or even weeks after the initial explosion. The peak of this emission crosses the mm/submm range during the first hours to days, making their study in this range crucial for constraining the models. Observations have been limited until now due to the low sensitivity of the observatories in this range. We present observations of 10 GRB afterglows obtained from APEX and SMA, as well as the first detection of a GRB with ALMA, and put them into context with all the observations that have been published until now in the spectral range that will be covered by ALMA. The catalogue of mm/submm observations collected here is the largest to date and is composed of 102 GRBs, of which 88 had afterglow observations, whereas the rest are host galaxy searches. With our programmes, we contributed with data of 11 GRBs and the discovery of 2 submm counterparts. In total, the full sample, including data from the literature, has 22 afterglow detections with redshift ranging from 0.168 to 8.2. GRBs have been detected in mm/submm wavelengths with peak luminosities spanning 2.5 orders of magnitude, the most luminous reaching 10^33erg s^-1 Hz^-1. We observe a correlation between the X-ray brightness at 0.5 days and the mm/submm peak brightness. Finally we give a rough estimate of the distribution of peak flux densities of GRB afterglows, based on the current mm/submm sample. Observations in the mm/submm bands have been shown to be crucial for our understanding of the physics of GRBs, but have until now been limited by the sensitivity of the observatories. With the start of the operations at ALMA, the sensitivity will be increased by more than an order of magnitude. Our estimates predict that, once completed, ALMA will detect up to 98% of the afterglows if observed during the passage of the peak synchrotron emission.

Cheng, Yu, and Harko Reply:

The GRB outflow driven by superconducting cosmic strings is likely to be an arc rather than a usually-considered spherical cap. In such a case, the afterglows of the cosmic string GRBs could be basically consistent with the observation of the high-redshift GRBs.