尘埃消光对伽玛射线暴余辉的影响

Effect of Dust Extinction on the Gamma-ray Burst Afterglows

为了研究尘埃消光对伽玛射线暴余辉的影响,基于严格的Mie理论和最新的星际尘埃光学性质,进行了高精度的数值计算,并分析具有不同物理参数的尘埃所产生的消光曲线.结果表明,介质密度和金属丰度是决定消光总量的主要物理参数,而尘埃颗粒大小的分布则是产生不同消光曲线轮廓的重要物理参数.如果尘埃颗粒相互聚集形成导致尺度增大,将产生较平或者较灰的消光曲线,同时绝对总量将减少;相反,如果尘埃颗粒由于某种原因发生离解导致尺度变小,将产生较陡的消光曲线,同时消光总量将增加.这些结果将对理解光学暗暴的形成机制提供重要的启示.

In order to study the effect of dust extinction on the afterglow of gamma-ray bursts （GRBs）, we carry out numerical calculations with high precision based on rigorous Mie theory and latest optical properties of interstellar dust grains, and analyze the different extinction curves produced by dust grains with different physical parameters. Our results indicate that the absolute extinction quantity is substantially determined by the medium density and metallicity, however, the shape of the extinction curve is mainly determined by the size distribution of the dust grains. If the dust grains aggregate to form larger ones, they will cause a flatter or grayer extinction curve with lower extinction quantity; on the contrary, if the dust grains are disassociated to smaller ones due to some uncertain processes, they will cause a steeper extinction curve with larger extinction quantity. These results might provide an important insight into understanding the origin of the optically dark GRBs.