Linear polarization on Gamma-Ray Bursts: from the prompt to the late afterglow
نویسنده
چکیده
The past year has witnessed a large increase in our knowledge of the polarization properties of Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) radiation. In the prompt phase, the measurement (albeit highly debated) of a large degree of linear polarization in GRB 021206 has stimulated a deep theoretical study of polarization from GRB jets. The optical afterglow of GRB 030329, on the other hand, has been followed thoroughly in polarimetric mode, allowing for an unprecedented sampling of its polarization curve. I will review the present status of theories and observations of polarization in GRBs, focusing on how polarimetric observations and their modelling can give us informations on the structure and magnetisation o GRB jets which is not possible to obtain from their light curve.
منابع مشابه
X-ray Polarization of Gamma-Ray Bursts
The degree and the temporal evolution of linear polarization in the prompt and afterglow emission of gamma-ray bursts is a very robust diagnostic of some key features of gamma-ray bursts jets and their micro and macro physics. In this contribution, I review the current status of the theory of polarized emission from GRB jets during the prompt, optical flash, and afterglow emission. I compare th...
متن کاملPolarization 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 کاملCorrelations of Prompt and Afterglow Emission in Swift Long and Short Gamma Ray Bursts
Correlation studies of prompt and afterglow emissions from gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) between different spectral bands has been difficult to do in the past because few bursts had comprehensive and intercomparable afterglow measurements. In this paper1 we present a large and uniform data set for correlation analysis based on bursts detected by the Swift mission. For the first time, short and long b...
متن کاملObservations of X-ray Flares from Gamma Ray Bursts
Swift-XRT observations of the X-ray emission from gamma ray bursts (GRBs) and during the GRB afterglow have led to many new results during the past two years. One of these exciting results is that ∼1/3− 1/2 of GRBs contain detectable X-ray flares. The mean fluence of the X-ray flares is ∼10× less than that of the initial prompt emission, but in some cases the flare is as energetic as the prompt...
متن کاملThick fireballs and the steep decay in the early X-ray afterglow of gamma-ray bursts
We study the early afterglows of gamma-ray bursts produced by geometrically thick fireballs, following the development of the external shock as energy is continually supplied to the shocked material. We study the dependence of the early afterglow slope on the luminosity history of the central engine. The resulting light curves are modeled with power-law functions and the importance of a correct...
متن کامل