scholarly journals Can we constrain the aftermath of binary neutron star mergers with short gamma-ray bursts?

2020 ◽  
Vol 499 (1) ◽  
pp. L96-L100
Author(s):  
B Patricelli ◽  
M G Bernardini
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Binary Neutron Star ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Central Engine ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
Merger Rate ◽  
The Masses ◽  
Jet Structure

ABSTRACT The joint observation of GW170817 and GRB170817A proved that binary neutron star (BNS) mergers are progenitors of short gamma-ray bursts (SGRBs): this established a direct link between the still unsettled SGRB central engine and the outcome of BNS mergers, whose nature depends on the equation of state (EOS) and on the masses of the NSs. We propose a novel method to probe the central engine of SGRBs based on this link. We produce an extended catalogue of BNS mergers by combining recent theoretically predicted BNS merger rate as a function of redshift and the NS mass distribution inferred from measurements of Galactic BNSs. We use this catalogue to predict the number of BNS systems ending as magnetars (stable or supramassive NS) or BHs (formed promptly or after the collapse of a hypermassive NS) for different EOSs, and we compare these outcomes with the observed rate of SGRBs. Despite the uncertainties mainly related to the poor knowledge of the SGRB jet structure, we find that for most EOSs the rate of magnetars produced after BNS mergers is sufficient to power all the SGRBs, while scenarios with only BHs as possible central engine seem to be disfavoured.

scholarly journals Gamma-Ray Bursts and Binary Neutron Star Mergers

1996 ◽  
Vol 165 ◽  
pp. 489-502
Author(s):  
Tsvi Piran
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Gravitational Radiation ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Indirect Evidence ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Binary Neutron Star ◽  
Merger Event ◽  
Γ Rays ◽  
Γ Ray ◽  
The One

Neutron star binaries, such as the one observed in the famous binary pulsar PSR 1913+16, end their life in a catastrophic merger event (denoted here NS2M). The merger releases ∼5 1053 ergs, mostly as neutrinos and gravitational radiation. A small fraction of this energy suffices to power γ-ray bursts (GRBs) at cosmological distances. Cosmological GRBs must pass, however, an optically thick fireball phase and the observed γ rays emerge only at the end of this phase. Hence, it is difficult to determine the nature of the source from present observations (the agreement between the rates of GRBs and NS2Ms providing only indirect evidence for this model). In the future a coinciding detection of a GRB and a gravitational-radiation signal could confirm this model.

scholarly journals Jet Propagation in Neutron Star Mergers and GW170817

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamid Hamidani ◽  
Kenta Kiuchi ◽  
Kunihito Ioka
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Expansion Velocity ◽  
Analytic Model ◽  
Binary Neutron Star ◽  
Central Engine ◽  
Relativistic Jet ◽  
Wave Event

Abstract The gravitational wave event from the binary neutron star (BNS) merger GW170817 and the following multi-messenger observations present strong evidence for i) merger ejecta expanding with substantial velocities and ii) a relativistic jet which had to propagate through the merger ejecta. The ejecta’s expansion velocity is not negligible for the jet head motion, which is a fundamental difference from the other systems like collapsars and active galactic nuclei. Here we present an analytic model of the jet propagation in an expanding medium. In particular, we notice a new term in the expression of the breakout time and velocity. In parallel, we perform a series of over a hundred 2D numerical simulations of jet propagation. The BNS merger ejecta is prepared based on numerical relativity simulations of a BNS merger with the highest-resolution to date. We show that our analytic results agree with numerical simulations over a wide parameter space. Then we apply our analytic model to GW170817, and obtain two solid constraints on: i) the central engine luminosity as Liso, 0 ∼ 3 × 1049 − 2.5 × 1052 erg s−1, and on ii) the delay time between the merger and engine activation t0 − tm < 1.3 s. The engine power implies that the apparently-faint short gamma-ray burst (sGRB) sGRB 170817A is similar to typical sGRBs if observed on-axis.

scholarly journals SPINAR MODEL FOR BINARY NEUTRON STAR MERGER

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 134-136
Author(s):  
A. R. Chasovnikov ◽  
V. M. Lipunov ◽  
E. S. Gorbovskoy
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Neutron Stars ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Binary Neutron Star ◽  
Master System ◽  
Robotic Telescopes

We consider the neutron stars mergers from the point of view of the spinar model. We present calculations of the maximum luminosity of merging neutron stars, both total and in optical ranges. The possibility of observing such gamma-ray bursts using the MASTER system of robotic telescopes is also discussed.

scholarly journals Collimated outflows from long-lived binary neutron star merger remnants

2020 ◽  
Vol 495 (1) ◽  
pp. L66-L70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riccardo Ciolfi
Keyword(s):  
Black Hole ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Spin Axis ◽  
Binary Neutron Star ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Massive Neutron Star ◽  
Merger Event ◽  
First Time

ABSTRACT The connection between short gamma-ray bursts (SGRBs) and binary neutron star (BNS) mergers was recently confirmed by the association of GRB 170817A with the merger event GW170817. However, no conclusive indications were obtained on whether the merger remnant that powered the SGRB jet was an accreting black hole (BH) or a long-lived massive neutron star (NS). Here, we explore the latter case via BNS merger simulations covering up to 250 ms after merger. We report, for the first time in a full merger simulation, the formation of a magnetically driven collimated outflow along the spin axis of the NS remnant. For the system at hand, the properties of such an outflow are found largely incompatible with an SGRB jet. With due consideration of the limitations and caveats of our present investigation, our results favour a BH origin for GRB 170817A and SGRBs in general. Even though this conclusion needs to be confirmed by exploring a larger variety of physical conditions, we briefly discuss possible consequences of all SGRB jets being powered by accreting BHs.

scholarly journals Protomagnetar research through an analysis of the X-ray plateau in the multi-messengar era

2020 ◽  
Vol 641 ◽  
pp. A56
Author(s):  
Xiaoxiao Ren ◽  
Daming Wei ◽  
Zhenyu Zhu ◽  
Yan Yan ◽  
Chengming Li
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Equation Of State ◽  
Gravitational Wave ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Equations Of State ◽  
Electromagnetic Emission ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Gamma Ray Burst ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Binary Neutron Star

The joint detection of the gravitational wave signal and the electromagnetic emission from a binary neutron star merger can place unprecedented constraint on the equation of state of supranuclear matter. Although a variety of electromagnetic counterparts have been observed for GW170817, including a short gamma-ray burst, kilonova, and the afterglow emission, the nature of the merger remnant is still unclear, however. The X-ray plateau is another important characteristics of short gamma-ray bursts. This plateau is probably due to the energy injection from a rapidly rotating magnetar. We investigate what we can learn from the detection of a gravitational wave along with the X-ray plateau. In principle, we can estimate the mass of the merger remnant if the X-ray plateau is caused by the central magnetar. We selected eight equations of state that all satisfy the constraint given by the gravitational wave observation, and then calculated the mass of the merger remnants of four short gamma-ray bursts with a well-measured X-ray plateau. If, on the other hand, the mass of the merger remnant can be obtained by gravitational wave information, then by comparing the masses derived by these two different methods can further constrain the equation of state. We discuss the possibility that the merger product is a quark star. In addition, we estimate the possible mass range for the recently discovered X-ray transient CDF-S XT2 that probably originated from a binary neutron star merger. Finally, under the assumption that the post-merger remnant of GW170817 was a supramassive neutron star, we estimated the allowed parameter space of the supramassive neutron star and find that in this case, the magnetic dipole radiation energy is so high that it may have some effects on the short gamma-ray burst and kilonova emission. The lack of detection of these effects suggests that the merger product of GW170817 may not be a supermassive neutron star.

Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster

2019 ◽  
pp. 132-137
Author(s):  
Nicholas Mee
Keyword(s):  
General Relativity ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Neutron Stars ◽  
Gravitational Waves ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Great Accuracy ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Tests Of General Relativity ◽  
Binary Neutron Star

The sources of short gamma ray bursts (GRBs) have been identified with neutron star merger events. Hulse and Taylor discovered the first binary neutron star in 1974. By monitoring the pulsar in this system the orbital characteristics of the system have been determined with great accuracy. This has led to tests of general relativity, including the first confirmation of the existence of gravitational waves. The emission of this radiation is gradually bringing the two neutron stars together. They will collide and merge in about 300 million years.

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