scholarly journals Searching for Gravitationally Lensed Gamma-Ray Bursts with Their Afterglows

2022 ◽  
Vol 924 (2) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Shengnan Chen ◽  
Xudong Wen ◽  
He Gao ◽  
Kai Liao ◽  
Liangduan Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Delay ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Archival Data ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Gamma Ray Detectors ◽  
Sky Survey ◽  
Lensing Effect ◽  
Recent Claim

Abstract Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) at high redshifts are expected to be gravitationally lensed by objects of different mass scales. Other than a single recent claim, no lensed GRB has been detected so far by using gamma-ray data only. In this paper, we suggest that multiband afterglow data might be an efficient way to search for lensed GRB events. Using the standard afterglow model, we calculate the characteristics of the lensed afterglow lightcurves under the assumption of two popular analytic lens models: the point-mass and singular isothermal sphere models. In particular, when different lensed images cannot be resolved, their signals would be superimposed together with a given time delay. In this case, the X-ray afterglows are likely to contain several X-ray flares of similar width in linear scale and similar spectrum, and the optical afterglow lightcurve will show re-brightening signatures. Since the lightcurves from the image arriving later would be compressed and deformed in the logarithmic timescale, the larger time delay (i.e., the larger mass of the lens), the easier it is to identify the lensing effect. We analyzed the archival data of optical afterglows and found one potential candidate of the lensed GRB (130831A) with time delay ∼500 s; however, observations of this event in gamma-ray and X-ray bands seem not to support the lensing hypothesis. In the future, with the cooperation of the all-sky monitoring gamma-ray detectors and multiband sky survey projects, the method proposed in this paper would be more efficient in searching for strongly lensed GRBs.

scholarly journals Broad-line type Ic SN 2020bvc

2020 ◽  
Vol 639 ◽  
pp. L11 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Izzo ◽  
K. Auchettl ◽  
J. Hjorth ◽  
F. De Colle ◽  
C. Gall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Optical Spectra ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Archival Data ◽  
Broad Line ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Gamma Ray Emission ◽  
Very High ◽  
Line Type

Long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are almost unequivocally associated with very energetic, broad-line supernovae of Type Ic-BL. While the gamma-ray emission is emitted in narrow jets, the SN emits radiation isotropically. Therefore, it has been hypothesized that some SN Ic-BL not associated with GRBs arise from events with inner engines such as off-axis GRBs or choked jets. Here we present observations of the nearby (d = 120 Mpc) SN 2020bvc (ASAS-SN 20bs) that support this scenario. Swift-UVOT observations reveal an early decline (up to two days after explosion), while optical spectra classify it as a SN Ic-BL with very high expansion velocities (≈70 000 km s−1), similar to that found for the jet-cocoon emission in SN 2017iuk associated with GRB 171205A. Moreover, the Swift X-Ray Telescope and CXO X-ray Observatory detected X-ray emission only three days after the SN and decaying onward, which can be ascribed to an afterglow component. Cocoon and X-ray emission are both signatures of jet-powered GRBs. In the case of SN 2020bvc, we find that the jet is off axis (by ≈23 degrees), as also indicated by the lack of early (≈1 day) X-ray emission, which explains why no coincident GRB was detected promptly or in archival data. These observations suggest that SN 2020bvc is the first orphan GRB detected through its associated SN emission.

The X-ray luminosity function of short gamma-ray bursts

2021 ◽  
Vol 366 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi-Ying Liu ◽  
Fu-Wen Zhang ◽  
Si-Yuan Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Luminosity Function ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
X Ray

scholarly journals Interpreting the X-ray afterglows of gamma-ray bursts with radiative losses and millisecond magnetars

2020 ◽  
Vol 499 (4) ◽  
pp. 5986-5992
Author(s):  
Nikhil Sarin ◽  
Paul D Lasky ◽  
Gregory Ashton
Keyword(s):  
Gravitational Wave ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Dipole Radiation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Radiative Efficiency ◽  
Central Engine ◽  
Radiative Losses ◽  
Wave Emission ◽  
Prompt Emission

ABSTRACT The spin-down energy of millisecond magnetars has been invoked to explain X-ray afterglow observations of a significant fraction of short and long gamma-ray bursts. Here, we extend models previously introduced in the literature, incorporating radiative losses with the spin-down of a magnetar central engine through an arbitrary braking index. Combining this with a model for the tail of the prompt emission, we show that our model can better explain the data than millisecond-magnetar models without radiative losses or those that invoke spin-down solely through vacuum dipole radiation. We find that our model predicts a subset of X-ray flares seen in some gamma-ray bursts. We can further explain the diversity of X-ray plateaus by altering the radiative efficiency and measure the braking index of newly born millisecond magnetars. We measure the braking index of GRB061121 as $n=4.85^{+0.11}_{-0.15}$ suggesting the millisecond-magnetar born in this gamma-ray burst spins down predominantly through gravitational-wave emission.

scholarly journals Diverse Features of the Multiwavelength Afterglows of Gamma-Ray Bursts: Natural or Special?

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Geng ◽  
Y. F. Huang
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
Numerical Method ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Shock Model ◽  
Reverse Shock ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Electron Positron ◽  
Forward Shock ◽  
Electron Positron Pair

The detection of optical rebrightenings and X-ray plateaus in the afterglows of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) challenges the generic external shock model. Recently, we have developed a numerical method to calculate the dynamics of the system consisting of a forward shock and a reverse shock. Here, we briefly review the applications of this method in the afterglow theory. By relating these diverse features to the central engines of GRBs, we find that the steep optical rebrightenings would be caused by the fall-back accretion of black holes, while the shallow optical rebrightenings are the consequence of the injection of the electron-positron-pair wind from the central magnetar. These studies provide useful ways to probe the characteristics of GRB central engines.

scholarly journals Statistical Study of the Swift X-Ray Flash and X-Ray Rich Gamma-Ray Bursts

2018 ◽  
Vol 866 (2) ◽  
pp. 97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiongwei Bi ◽  
Jirong Mao ◽  
Chuanxi Liu ◽  
Jin-Ming Bai
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Study ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
X Ray

Swift observations of gamma-ray bursts

2007 ◽  
Vol 365 (1854) ◽  
pp. 1119-1128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil Gehrels
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
High Redshift ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Optical Observations ◽  
Nearby Galaxy ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Short Grbs

Since its launch on 20 November 2004, the Swift mission has been detecting approximately 100 gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) each year, and immediately (within approx. 90 s) starting simultaneous X-ray and UV/optical observations of the afterglow. It has already collected an impressive database, including prompt emission to higher sensitivities than BATSE, uniform monitoring of afterglows and a rapid follow-up by other observatories notified through the GCN. Advances in our understanding of short GRBs have been spectacular. The detection of X-ray afterglows has led to accurate localizations and the conclusion that short GRBs can occur in non-star-forming galaxies or regions, whereas long GRBs are strongly concentrated within the star-forming regions. This is consistent with the NS merger model. Swift has greatly increased the redshift range of GRB detection. The highest redshift GRBs, at z ∼5–6, are approaching the era of reionization. Ground-based deep optical spectroscopy of high redshift bursts is giving metallicity measurements and other information on the source environment to a much greater distance than other techniques. The localization of GRB 060218 to a nearby galaxy, and the association with SN 2006aj, added a valuable member to the class of GRBs with detected supernova.

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