High-energy γ-ray emission from gamma-raybursts-before GLAST

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are short and intense emission of soft γ-rays, which have fascinated astronomers and astrophysicists since their unexpected discovery in 1960s. The X-ray/optical/radio afterglow observations confirm the cosmological origin of GRBs, support the fireball model, and imply a long-activity of the central engine. The high-energy γ-ray emission (> 20 MeV) from GRBs is particularly important because they shed some lights on the radiation mechanisms and can help us to constrain the physical processes giving rise to the early afterglows. In this work, we review observational and theoretical studies of the high-energy emission from GRBs. Special attention is given to the expected high-energy emission signatures accompanying the canonical early-time X-ray afterglow that was observed by the Swift X-ray Telescope. We also discuss the detection prospect of the upcoming GLAST satellite and the current ground-based Cerenkov detectors.      

High-energy γ-ray emission from gamma-ray bursts — before GLAST

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are short and intense emission of soft γ-rays, which have fascinated astronomers and astrophysicists since their unexpected discovery in 1960s. The X-ray/optical/radio afterglow observations confirm the cosmological origin of GRBs, support the fireball model, and imply a long-activity of the central engine. The high-energy γ-ray emission (> 20 MeV) from GRBs is particularly important because they shed some lights on the radiation mechanisms and can help us to constrain the physical processes giving rise to the early afterglows. In this work, we review observational and theoretical studies of the high-energy emission from GRBs. Special attention is given to the expected high-energy emission signatures accompanying the canonical early-time X-ray afterglow that was observed by the Swift X-ray Telescope. We also discuss the detection prospect of the upcoming GLAST satellite and the current ground-based Cerenkov detectors.     

Gamma-ray bursts and the fireball model

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) have puzzled astronomers since their accidental discovery in the late 1960s. The BATSE detector on the COMPTON-GRO satellite has been detecting one burst per day for the last six years. Its findings have revolutionized our ideas about the nature of these objects. They have shown that GRBs are at cosmological distances. This idea was accepted with difficulties at first. The recent discovery of an X-ray afterglow by the Italian/Dutch satellite BeppoSAX has led to a detection of high red-shift absorption lines in the optical afterglow of GRB970508 and in several other bursts and to the identification of host galaxies to others. This has confirmed the cosmological origin. Cosmological GRBs release ∼10⁵¹–10⁵³ erg in a few seconds making them the most (electromagnetically) luminous objects in the Universe. The simplest, most conventional, and practically inevitable, interpretation of these observations is that GRBs result from the conversion of the kinetic energy of ultra-relativistic particles or possibly the electromagnetic energy of a Poynting flux to radiation in an optically thin region. This generic “fireball” model has also been confirmed by the afterglow observations. The “inner engine” that accelerates the relativistic flow is hidden from direct observations. Consequently, it is difficult to infer its structure directly from current observations. Recent studies show, however, that this “inner engine” is responsible for the complicated temporal structure observed in GRBs. This temporal structure and energy considerations indicates that the “inner engine” is associated with the formation of a compact object – most likely a black hole.     

γ射线暴的最新研究进展:火球模型、余辉及前身星

γ射线暴（称简γ暴）的研究在最近几年里有了巨大的突破。观测上，人们发现了γ暴的低能余辉以及与γ射线发同时的光学爆发，还发现了它位于宇学距离的寄主星系。越来越多的观测证据还表明长时标γ暴与恒星形成区、甚至可能与超新星成协。在γ暴的相对论火球模型框架下，人们对γ暴以及余辉的产生机制的认识也有了进展。进而人们对γ暴的前身星以及环境效应等有了新的认识。本文旨在对这些进展和认识给一个扼要的评述。     

The early high-energy afterglow emission from short GRBs

We calculate the high energy afterglow emission from short Gamma-Ray Bursts (SGRBs) in the external shock model. There are two possible components contributing to the high energy afterglow: electron synchrotron emission and synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) emission. We find that for typical parameter values of SGRBs, the early high-energy afterglow emission in 10 MeV-10 GeV is dominated by synchrotron emission. For a burst occurring at redshift z = 0.1, the high-energy emission can be detectable by Fermi LAT if the blast wave has energy E ⩾ 10⁵¹ ergs and the fraction of electron energy ɛ _e ⩾ 0.1. This provides a possible explanation for the high energy tail of SGRB 081024B.

     

Comprehension of Jet Physics from the Analysis of the Gamma-Ray Burst Afterglow Parameter Distributions

The discovery of a short gamma-ray burst (GRB), GRB170817A, in association with a gravitational wave (GW) and a bright kilonova started a new era in the high-energy astrophysics. The observation of GRB170817A and more recently, GRB200826A and GRB211211A, a short and a long burst, respectively, with a possible kilonova, reinforce the concern about new ways of classification. For this reason, a new machine learning technique is applied to Swift-BAT data, searching for morphological similarities in the light curves. The resulting map is characterized by two distinct groups, although still correlated with standard T90 duration. Since a jet viewed off-axis could explain the emission from GRB170817A, the modeling of this kind of sources is of great importance. A public code called JetFit, based on the “boosted fireball” model, is applied to fit Swift-XRT afterglow light curves of short and long GRBs, with known red-shift, from 2005 to 2021. JetFit does not model the flaring activity. For this purpose, a new technique to remove the time flaring phases, is developed. This analysis provides a comprehensive study of the prompt and of the afterglow phase, trough the study of the best-fit parameters.     

Three years’ systematic GRB follow-up at the Xinglong Observatory and the optical afterglow observations of GRB 080330

We present a brief overview of follow-up observations of GRB afterglows made by the 0.8-m TNT and other telescopes at the Xinglong observatory during the last three years. Our system, dedicated to the measurement of early-time optical afterglow emission, responded to 50 GRBs from Jan. 2006 to Apr. 2009. Among them, about 50% have been successfully detected. The fastest response time is 76 sec (GRB 061110A and GRB 090426) after the space-borne GRB detector was triggered. The redshift distribution spans the range from z = 0.033 (GRB 060218) to z = 5.6 (GRB 060927). We also report the optical photometric follow-up of GRB 080330, which is an X-ray flash, as an example of our observations.     

Gamma-ray bursts and related phenomena

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) have puzzled astronomers since their accidental discovery in the sixties. The BATSE detector on the COMPTON-GRO satellite has been detecting one burst per day for the last six years. Its findings have revolutionized our ideas about the nature of these objects. They have shown that GRBs are at cosmological distances. This idea was accepted with difficulties at first. However, the recent discovery of an X-ray afterglow by the Italian/Dutch satellite BeppoSAX led to a detection of high red-shift absorption lines in the optical afterglow of GRB970508 and to a confirmation of its cosmological origin. The simplest and practically inevitable interpretation of these observations is that GRBs result from the conversion of the kinetic energy of ultra-relativistic particles flux to radiation in an optically thin region. The “inner engine” that accelerates the particles is hidden from direct observations. Recent studies suggest the “internal-external” model: internal shocks that take place within the relativistic flow produce the GRB while the subsequent interaction of the flow with the external medium produce the afterglow. The “inner engine” that produces the flow is, however, hidden from direct observations. We review this model with a specific emphasis on its implications to underground physics.     

SVOM gamma ray monitor

The space-based multi-band astronomical Variable Object Monitor (SVOM) mission is dedicated to the detection, localization and broad-band study of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and other high-energy transient phenomena. The gamma ray monitor (GRM) onboard is designed to observe GRBs up to 5 MeV. With this instrument, one of the key GRB parameters, E _peak, can be easily measured in the hard X-ray band. It can achieve a detection rate of 100 GRBs per year which ensures the scientific output of SVOM.     

The origin of the continuum of Active Galactic Nuclei

Summary The high-energy continuum of active galactic nuclei can be interpreted by nonthermal models in which electron-positron pairs play a crucial role. The produced primary γ-rays interact with softer photons in the inner, high photon density regions of the source. The created pairs are relativistic, and contribute to the emission, especially in the X-ray band. When the photon density is large enough, therefore for large values of the luminosity-to size ratio, the spectrum produced by the reprocessing due to pairs is predicted to have a characteristic spectral index of one. This power law continuum partly impinges on cold matter, possibly in an accretion disk. The resulting Compton reflected radiation contributes to the X-ray emission, and the predicted overall spectrum is in agreement with the observed shape of the high-energy continuum. The proposed model is easily testable: observations in the hard—X-ray band above (30÷50) keV are crucial to discriminate these nonthermal models against thermal ones. Paper presented at the V Cosmic Physics National Conference, S. Miniato, November 27–30, 1990.     

X-ray flares of γ-ray bursts: Quakes of solid quark stars?

A star-quake model is proposed to understand X-ray flares of both long and short γ-ray bursts (GRBs) in a solid quark star regime. Two kinds of central engines for GRBs are available if pulsar-like stars are actually (solid) quark stars, i.e., the SNE-type GRBs and the SGR-type GRBs. It is found that a quark star could be solidified about 10³ to 10⁶ s later after its birth if the critical temperature of phase transition is a few Metga-electron-volts, and then a new source of free energy (i.e., elastic and gravitational ones, rather than rotational or magnetic energy) could be possible to power GRB X-ray flares. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 10573002, 10778611, and 10873002), the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2009CB824800), the Research Foundation of Guangxi University (Grant No. M30520), and the LCWR (Grant No. LHXZ200602)     

Measurement of the energy distribution of bremsstrahlung using Compton scattering

The GEANT 4.9.2 software package is applied for the simulation of primary and Compton scattered bremsstrahlung spectra. The possibility of restoring primary γ-radiation spectra with the energy 0.02–1200 MeV using Compton scattering on secondary scattering targets is studied. The advantages of light targets using are demonstrated. An additional bremsstrahlung contribution from e^±-pairs is calculated for high-energy γ quanta; the influence of CXR on the form of scattered X-ray quantum spectra is estimated. The spectra which have a multipeak structure are restored. For high-energy γ quanta there occurs significant spread of energies in the Compton scattered radiation spectrum, which imposes stringent conditions on collimation and detector resolution capability. The possibility of measuring the bremsstrahlung spectra from a primary target during high-angle Compton scattering is estimated.     

Experimental investigation of angular dependence of photon induced L-shell X-ray emission intensity

The angular dependence of emission intensity of L shell X-rays induced by 59.57 keV photons in Pb and U is investigated by measuring the normalized intensities of the resolved L X-ray peaks at different angles varying from 40° to 120°. It is observed that while L _l and L_α X-ray peaks (originating fromJ = 3/2 state) show some anisotropic angular distribution, the emission of L_β and L_γ X-ray peaks is isotropic. The present results contradict the calculations of Co-oper and Zare (1969) that after photoionization of inner shell, the vacancy state has equal population of magnetic substates and the subsequent X-ray emission is isotropic but confirm the predictions of Fluggeet al (1972) that the atomic inner shell vacancies produced after photoionization are aligned and the x-ray emission from the filling of vacancies in state withJ ⩾ 3/2 is anisotropic.     

Zn元素替代对MgGa2O4∶Cr3+的结构和发光性能的影响

采用高温固相法按化学式Zn_xMg_(1-x)Ga₂O₄∶Cr3+(x=0,0.2,0.6,0.8,1.0)配比原料制备了一系列红色长余辉发光材料。X射线衍射(XRD)分析表明样品物相均为面心立方结构。光致发光特性表明样品的红光发射峰均由以Cr3+为发光中心的电子2E—4A₂跃迁所致,Cr3+的激发带与基质发射带之间有大面积重叠,两者间存在有效的能量传递。余辉衰减曲线与热释光谱分析表明,不同Zn掺入量的样品余辉衰减快慢不同,是由于其中存在的陷阱能级深度不同,且陷阱能级越深,其余辉时间越长。     

Measuring high-energy γ-ray emission accompanying the spontaneous fission of <Superscript>252</Superscript>Cf nuclei

The probability of high-energy γ-ray emission accompanying the spontaneous fission of ²⁵²Cf nuclei in the energy range of 5–60 MeV was measured experimentally. The γ rays were detected by a BGO detector with a size of ∅7.6 × 7.6 cm in coincidence with neutrons detected by an organic polystyrene-based scintillator with a size of ∅6.0 × 2.0 cm. To reject events associated with the cosmic background, we propose an original method that combines rapid digitizing of the pulse shape and the time-of-flight method.     

Y2O2S∶Eu,Mg, Ti,Gd 红色长余辉发光材料的热稳定性

采用高温固相法制备了Y₂O₂S ∶ Eu,Mg,Ti,Gd红色长余辉材料,研究了热处理工艺对材料稳定性的影响。用X射线衍射表征该材料的相组成,用激发光谱、发射光谱、余辉亮度对材料的发光性能进行表征。结果表明:热处理温度在600 ℃以下时,材料的发光性能不变;当热处理温度达到800 ℃时,发光性能缓慢下降;当热处理温度达到1 000 ℃时,主晶相Y₂O₂S变成Y₂O₂SO₄和Y₂O₃,发光性能急剧下降。与铝酸盐及硫化物发光材料相比,Y₂O₂S ∶ Eu,Mg,Ti,Gd红色长余辉材料具有较好的热稳定性。     

High-energy neutrinos from gamma ray bursts

We treat high-energy neutrino production in gamma ray bursts (GRBs). Detailed calculations of photomeson neutrino production are presented for the collapsar model, where internal nonthermal synchrotron radiation is the primary target photon field, and the supranova model, where external pulsar-wind synchrotron radiation provides important additional target photons. Detection of greater, similar 10 TeV neutrinos from GRBs with Doppler factors > or approximately 200, inferred from gamma-ray observations, would support the supranova model. Detection of < or approximately 10 TeV neutrinos is possible for neutrinos formed from nuclear production. Only the most powerful bursts at fluence levels > or approximately 3 x 10(-4) erg cm(-2) offer a realistic prospect for detection of nu(mu).     

白色长余辉材料CaxMgSi2O5+x：Dy3+系列的发光性能

制备并研究了一系列具有白色长余辉的钙镁硅酸盐材料,Ca_xMgSi₂O_5+x:Dy³⁺(x=1,2,3)。在紫外激发的发射谱中观察到来自Dy³⁺的4f组态内发射:对应⁴F_9/2→⁶H_15/2跃迁的蓝色发射(480nm)以及对应⁴F_9/2→⁶H_13/2跃迁的黄色发射(575nm)。低压汞灯(254nm)辐照后产生的长余辉光谱成分与发射谱相同,蓝光与黄光的混合组成白色光。对所研究的大部分样品,白色长余辉发射持续时间超过1h。研究了发射光强度对Dy³⁺浓度的依赖以及黄光与蓝光强度比与Dy³⁺掺杂浓度之间的关系,发现不同的基质有不同Dy³⁺浓度的依赖关系。室温以上的热释光谱表明所研究材料在室温以上具有丰富的热释光峰,因此有潜力进一步改善其长余辉性能。结合实验结果和以往研究,简要讨论了这一类材料的陷阱来源和长余辉发射机理。     

Ultra-high energy cosmic rays and prompt TeV gamma rays from gamma ray bursts

Gamma ray bursts (GRBs) have been proposed as one possible class of sources of the ultrahigh energy cosmic ray (UHECR) events observed up to energies ≳ 10²⁰ eV. The synchrotron radiation of the highest energy protons accelerated within the GRB source should produce gamma rays up to TeV energies. Here we briefly discuss the implications on the energetics of the GRB from the point of view of the detectability of the prompt TeV γ-rays of proton-synchrotron origin in GRBs in the up-coming ICECUBE muon detector in the south pole.     

双波长Pr3+掺杂12CaO·7Al2O3的光存储特性

采用化学共沉淀法制备了Pr3+掺杂的12CaO·7Al2O3(C12A7:Pr3+)材料.通过X射线衍射(XRD)、发射光谱、激发光谱、余辉衰减曲线、热释发光及光激励发光等测试手段系统研究了C12A7:Pr3+材料的微观结构和光学性质.结果表明,C12A7是一种理想的适合Pr3+掺杂的基质材料,C12A7:Pr3+具有...