Searching for Gravitationally Lensed Gamma-Ray Bursts with Their Afterglows

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.

Nuclear Structure Investigations of some Medium-Weight Isotopes

<p>This thesis describes the methods and results of investigations made to determine the decay schemes of three short-lived isotopes 112Ag, 114Ag and 116Ag. A total of 76 gamma-rays was observed with a Ge(Li) detector in the gamma-radiation which follows the Beta-decay of 112Ag to levels of 112Cd. gamma- gamma coincidence and angular correlation measurements were made with Ge(Li)-NaI(T1) and NaI(T1)-NaI(T1) systems. A decay scheme consistent with the present data is proposed. Cross sections for the reactions 112Cd(n,p)112Ag and 115In(n, alpha)112Ag were measured, and the half-life of the 112Ag decay was found to be 3.14 plus-minus 0.01 hr. The decay scheme of 114Ag was studied with Ge(Li) gamma-ray detectors and plastic Beta-ray detectors. 9 of the 11 gamma-rays observed in the decay were incorporated into 114Cd level structure previously determined by conversion electron measurements on the 113Cd(n,gamma)114Cd reaction. The endpoint energy of the Beta-decay was determined as 4.90 plus-minus 0.26 MeV; no branching was evident in the Beta-spectrum. A decay scheme is proposed for which the Beta-branching was deduced from the measured gamma-ray yield and a calculated cross section value for the 114Cd(n,p)114Ag reaction. The 114Ag half-life was determined as 4.52 plus-minus 0.03 sec; a search for a previously reported isomeric state of 114Ag was unsuccessful. Ge(Li) and NaI(T1) gamma-ray detectors were used to study the direct and coincidence spectra that result from the decay of 116Ag, the half-life of which was found to be 2.50 plus-minus 0.02 min. 53 gamma-rays were observed from this decay. The Beta-branching to the 17 excited states of 116Cd in the proposed decay scheme was derived from the measured gamma-ray yield and a calculated cross section value for the 116Cd(n,p)Ag reaction. Spin and parity assignments for ihe energy levels of 116Cd are made. An investigation of the applicability of two collective models to nuclear structure typical of the Cd nuclei studied demonstrated that one of the models was misleading when applied to vibrational nuclei. A potential function was developed in the other model to extend the investigation to include a study of the transition between extremes of collective motion. This was used to examine the correspondence between nuclear level schemes representative of rotational and vibrational excitations.</p>

Nuclear Structure Investigations of some Medium-Weight Isotopes

<p>This thesis describes the methods and results of investigations made to determine the decay schemes of three short-lived isotopes 112Ag, 114Ag and 116Ag. A total of 76 gamma-rays was observed with a Ge(Li) detector in the gamma-radiation which follows the Beta-decay of 112Ag to levels of 112Cd. gamma- gamma coincidence and angular correlation measurements were made with Ge(Li)-NaI(T1) and NaI(T1)-NaI(T1) systems. A decay scheme consistent with the present data is proposed. Cross sections for the reactions 112Cd(n,p)112Ag and 115In(n, alpha)112Ag were measured, and the half-life of the 112Ag decay was found to be 3.14 plus-minus 0.01 hr. The decay scheme of 114Ag was studied with Ge(Li) gamma-ray detectors and plastic Beta-ray detectors. 9 of the 11 gamma-rays observed in the decay were incorporated into 114Cd level structure previously determined by conversion electron measurements on the 113Cd(n,gamma)114Cd reaction. The endpoint energy of the Beta-decay was determined as 4.90 plus-minus 0.26 MeV; no branching was evident in the Beta-spectrum. A decay scheme is proposed for which the Beta-branching was deduced from the measured gamma-ray yield and a calculated cross section value for the 114Cd(n,p)114Ag reaction. The 114Ag half-life was determined as 4.52 plus-minus 0.03 sec; a search for a previously reported isomeric state of 114Ag was unsuccessful. Ge(Li) and NaI(T1) gamma-ray detectors were used to study the direct and coincidence spectra that result from the decay of 116Ag, the half-life of which was found to be 2.50 plus-minus 0.02 min. 53 gamma-rays were observed from this decay. The Beta-branching to the 17 excited states of 116Cd in the proposed decay scheme was derived from the measured gamma-ray yield and a calculated cross section value for the 116Cd(n,p)Ag reaction. Spin and parity assignments for ihe energy levels of 116Cd are made. An investigation of the applicability of two collective models to nuclear structure typical of the Cd nuclei studied demonstrated that one of the models was misleading when applied to vibrational nuclei. A potential function was developed in the other model to extend the investigation to include a study of the transition between extremes of collective motion. This was used to examine the correspondence between nuclear level schemes representative of rotational and vibrational excitations.</p>