Photospheric Prompt Emission From Long Gamma-ray Burst Simulations. I. Optical Emission

A complete understanding of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) has been difficult to achieve, due to our incomplete knowledge of the radiation mechanism that is responsible for producing the prompt emission. This emission, which is detected in the first tens of seconds of the GRB, is typically dominated by hard X-ray and gamma-ray photons, although there have also been a few dozen prompt optical detections. These optical detections have the potential to discriminate between plausible prompt emission models, such as the photospheric and synchrotron shock models. In this work, we use an improved MCRaT code, which includes cyclo-synchrotron emission and absorption, to conduct radiative transfer calculations from optical to gamma-ray energies under the photospheric model. The calculations are conducted using a set of two-dimensional relativistic hydrodynamic long GRB jet simulations, consisting of a constant and a variable jet. We predict the correlations between the optical and gamma-ray light curves as functions of observer angle and jet variability, and find that there should be extremely dim optical prompt precursors for large viewing angles. Additionally, the detected optical emission originates from dense regions of the outflow, such as shock interfaces and the jet-cocoon interface. Our results also show that the photospheric model is unable to account for the current set of optical prompt detections that have been made and therefore additional radiative mechanisms are needed to explain these prompt optical observations. These findings show the importance of conducting global radiative transfer simulations using hydrodynamically calculated jet structures.

Triboluminescence Phenomenon Based on the Metal Complex Compounds—A Short Review

Triboluminescence (TL) is a phenomenon of light emission resulting from the mechanical force applied to a substance. Although TL has been observed for many ages, the radiation mechanism is still under investigation. One of the exemplary compounds which possesses triboluminescent properties are copper(I) thiocyanate bipyridine triphenylphosphine complex [Cu(NCS)(py)2(PPh3)], europium tetrakis dibenzoylmethide triethylammonium EuD4TEA, tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) chloride [Ru(bpy)3]Cl2, and bis(triphenylphosphine oxide)manganese(II) bromide Mn(Ph3PO)2Br2. Due to the effortless synthesis route and distinct photo- and triboluminescent properties, these compounds may be useful model substances for the research on the triboluminescence mechanism. The advance of TL studies may lead to the development of a new group of sensors based on force-responsive (mechanical stimuli) materials. This review constitutes a comprehensive theoretical study containing available information about the coordination of metal complex synthesis methodologies with their physical, chemical, and spectroscopic properties.

A fast radio burst source at a complex magnetised site in a barred galaxy

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are highly dispersed radio bursts prevailing in the universe. The recent detection of FRB~200428 from a Galactic magnetar suggested that at least some FRBs originate from magnetars, but it is unclear whether the majority of cosmological FRBs, especially the actively repeating ones, are produced from the magnetar channel. Here we report the detection of 1863 polarised bursts from the repeating source FRB~20201124A during a dedicated radio observational campaign of Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). The large sample of radio bursts detected in 88 hr over 54 days indicate a significant, irregular, short-time variation of the Faraday rotation measure (RM) of the source during the first 36 days, followed by a constant RM during the later 18 days. Significant circular polarisation up to 75\% was observed in a good fraction of bursts. Evidence suggests that some low-level circular polarisation originates from the conversion from linear polarisation during the propagation of the radio waves, but an intrinsic radiation mechanism is required to produce the higher degree of circular polarisation. All of these features provide evidence for a more complicated, dynamically evolving, magnetised immediate environment around this FRB source. Its host galaxy was previously known. Our optical observations reveal that it is a Milky-Way-sized, metal-rich, barred-spiral galaxy at redshift z=0.09795+-0.00003, with the FRB residing in a low stellar density, interarm region at an intermediate galactocentric distance, an environment not directly expected for a young magnetar formed during an extreme explosion of a massive star.

An Arecibo follow-up study of seven pulsars discovered by Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST)

We present Arecibo 327 MHz confirmation and follow-up studies of seven new pulsars discovered by the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). These pulsars are discovered in a pilot program of the Commensal Radio Astronomy FAST Survey (CRAFTS) with the ultra-wide-bandwidth commissioning receiver. Five of them are normal pulsars and two are extreme nulling slow pulsars. PSR J2111+2132’s dispersion measure(DM: 78.5 pc cm−3) is above the upper limits of the two Galactic free electron density models, NE2001 and YMW16, and PSR J2057+2133’s position is out of the Scutum-Crux Arm, making them uniquely useful for improving the Galactic free electron density model in their directions. We present a detailed single pulse analysis for the slow nulling pulsars. We show evidence that PSR J2323+1214’s main pulse component follows a non-Poisson distribution and marginal evidence for a sub-pulse-drift or recurrent period of 32.3±0.4 rotations from PSR J0539+0013. We discuss the implication of our finding to the pulsar radiation mechanism.

GRB Polarization: A Unique Probe of GRB Physics

Over half a century from the discovery of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), the dominant radiation mechanism responsible for their bright and highly variable prompt emission remains poorly understood. Spectral information alone has proven insufficient for understanding the composition and main energy dissipation mechanism in GRB jets. High-sensitivity polarimetric observations from upcoming instruments in this decade may help answer such key questions in GRB physics. This article reviews the current status of prompt GRB polarization measurements and provides comprehensive predictions from theoretical models. A concise overview of the fundamental questions in prompt GRB physics is provided. Important developments in gamma-ray polarimetry including a critical overview of different past instruments are presented. Theoretical predictions for different radiation mechanisms and jet structures are confronted with time-integrated and time-resolved measurements. The current status and capabilities of upcoming instruments regarding the prompt emission are presented. The very complimentary information that can be obtained from polarimetry of X-ray flares as well as reverse-shock and early to late forward-shock (afterglow) emissions are highlighted. Finally, promising directions for overcoming the inherent difficulties in obtaining statistically significant prompt-GRB polarization measurements are discussed, along with prospects for improvements in the theoretical modeling, which may lead to significant advances in the field.

Synchrotron mechanism of X-ray and gamma-ray emissions in lightning and spark discharges

X-ray and γ-ray emissions observed in lightning and long sparks are usually connected with the bremsstrahlung of high-energy runaway electrons. Here, an alternative physical mechanism for producing X-ray and gamma-ray emissions caused by the polarization current and associated electromagnetic field moving with relativistic velocity along a curved discharge channel has been proposed. The existence of fast electromagnetic surface waves propagating along the lightning discharge channel at a speed close to the speed of light in vacuum is shown. The possibility of the production of microwave, X-ray and gamma-ray emissions by a polarization current pulse moving along a curved path via synchrotron radiation mechanism is pointed out. The existence of long tails in the power spectrum is shown, which explains observations of photon energies in the range of 10–100 MeV in the terrestrial gamma-ray flashes, as well as measured power spectrum of laboratory spark discharge.

OBSERVATIONAL PROPERTIES OF TEV DETECTED GRB 180720B, GRB 190114C AND GRB 190829A

TeV emissions from γ-ray bursts are very important to study their origin and the radiation mechanisms in detail. Recent observations of TeV photons in some of the GRBs are challenging to be explained by the traditional Synchrotron radiation mechanism. In this work, we present the results of a detailed investigation of the prompt and afterglow emissions of recently discovered TeV GRBs (GRB 180720B, GRB 190114C, and GRB 190829A) based on the publicly available prompt and afterglow data including 10.4m GTC and 1.3m DFOT telescopes observations of the first HESS and MAGIC bursts, respectively. Timeresolved spectroscopy of prompt emission of GRB 180720B and GRB 190114C shows an intensity tracking nature of peak energy. In the case of GRB 190829A, peak energy evolution shows a hard to soft tracking trend followed by a very soft and chaotic trend. GRB 190829A is a peculiar intermediate luminous two episodic burst with first emission episode outlier to Amati correlation. We analyzed the late time Fermi-LAT emission that encapsulates the H.E.S.S. and MAGIC observations. Some of the LAT photons are likely to be associated with these GRBs and they could have an Inverse Compton radiation mechanism.

SPECTROSCOPIC STUDY OF SALT MELTS OF THE SmF3-CeF3-NaCl-KCl SYSTEM

Redox interactions between the components of the SmF3-CeF3 and SmF3-CeF3-NaCl-KCl systems have been established by IR transmission spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance electron spectroscopy and luminescence spectroscopy. A significant decrease in the transparency in the IR range of the spectrum was found when passing from the first of the systems to the second, which is explained by an increase in scattering by ultramicrodispersed particles of fluorides in the salt melt. In both systems, the formation of a significant amount of Sm (II) and a decrease in the content of Sm (III) are observed. The change in the valence state of Samarium both during solid-phase heat treatment (1100 °C) and during holding in a salt melt at 700 °C is manifested in the disappearance of some absorption bands, the appearance of new bands, and a gypsochromic shift of the remaining bands. The luminescence spectra exhibit high-intensity emission bands in the 640–740 nm range, which correspond to 5d‑4f electronic transitions in Sm2+ ions. At the same time, the highest intensity is observed in the band corresponding to intracenter 5d‑4f electronic transitions in Ce3+ ions. Apparently, the Ce(IV) compound, formed as a result of the exchange reaction of complex fluoride with a salt melt, volatilizes with subsequent decomposition and does not affect the character of luminescence. On the whole, the luminescence intensity after treatment in the molten salt increases by several tens of times, which indicates a significant change in the radiation mechanism. The mechanism of redox reactions in the solid-phase state, as well as exchange processes in the salt melt and after its crystallization, is discussed. A significant role of solvation shells around particles of lanthanide fluorides in luminescence processes is assumed.

The Equivalent Thermal Conductivity of the Micro/Nano Scaled Periodic Cubic Frame Silver and Its Thermal Radiation Mechanism Analysis

Currently, there are few studies on the influence of microscale thermal radiation on the equivalent thermal conductivity of microscale porous metal. Therefore, this paper calculated the equivalent thermal conductivity of high-porosity periodic cubic silver frame structures with cell size from 100 nm to 100 µm by using the microscale radiation method. Then, the media radiation characteristics, absorptivity, reflectivity and transmissivity were discussed to explain the phenomenon of the radiative thermal conductivity changes. Furthermore, combined with spectral radiation properties at the different cross-sections and wavelength, the radiative transmission mechanism inside high-porosity periodic cubic frame silver structures was obtained. The results showed that the smaller the cell size, the greater radiative contribution in total equivalent thermal conductivity. Periodic cubic silver frames fluctuate more in the visible band and have better thermal radiation modulation properties in the near infrared band, which is formed by the Surface Plasmon Polariton and Magnetic Polaritons resonance jointly. This work provides design guidance for the application of this kind of periodic microporous metal in the field of thermal utilization and management.