Gamma-Ray Bursts: Polarization of Afterglows from Two-Component Jets
نویسندگان
چکیده
Polarization behaviors of optical afterglows from two-component gamma-ray burst jets are investigated, assuming various configurations for the two components. In most cases, the observed polarization is dominated by the inner narrow component for a long period. Interestingly, it is revealed that different assumptions about the lateral expansion of the jet can lead to different evolutions of the position angle of polarization. The observed afterglow light curve and polarization behaviors of GRB 020813 can be well explained by the two-component jet model. Particularly, the model is able to explain the constancy of the observed position angle in this event, given that the line of sight is slightly outside the narrow component.
منابع مشابه
Polarization in the prompt emission of gamma-ray bursts and their afterglows
Synchrotron is considered the dominant emission mechanism in the production of gamma-ray burst photons in the prompt as well as in the afterglow phase. Polarization is a characteristic feature of synchrotron and its study can give a wealth of information on the properties of the magnetic field and of the energy distribution in gamma-ray burst jets. In this paper I will review the theory and obs...
متن کاملRebrightening of XRF 030723: Further Evidence for a Two-Component Jet in Gamma-Ray Burst
Optical afterglows from two-component jets under various configurations are investigated numerically. Generally, the light curve is characterized by a rapid rebrightening when the observer is off-axis with respect to the narrow component, with the amplitude and peak time depending on detailed parameters. We further show that the optical afterglow of XRF 030723, especially its notable and rapid ...
متن کاملJets in Quasars, Microquasars and Gamma- Ray Bursts
Relativistic outflows are common in accreting and forming black holes. Despite the enormous differences in scale, stellar-mass black holes in X-ray binaries and supermassive black holes in Galactic Nuclei produce jets with analogous properties. In both are observed two types of relativistic outflows: 1) quasi-steady compact jets with flat-spectrum, and 2) episodic large-scale ejections with ste...
متن کاملCan Fireball Models Explain Gamma Ray Bursts?
The observed afterglows of gamma ray bursts, in particular that of GRB 970228 six months later, rule out spherical explosions powered by mergers or accretion induced collapse of compact stellar objects in galaxies as the origin of Gamma Ray Bursts. They can be produced by superluminal jets from such sources.
متن کاملEvolution of the polarization of the optical afterglow of the gamma-ray burst GRB030329.
The association of a supernova with GRB030329 strongly supports the 'collapsar' model of gamma-ray bursts, where a relativistic jet forms after the progenitor star collapses. Such jets cannot be spatially resolved because gamma-ray bursts lie at cosmological distances; their existence is instead inferred from 'breaks' in the light curves of the afterglows, and from the theoretical desire to red...
متن کامل