Relationships between Relative Spectral Lags and Relative Widths of Gamma-ray Bursts

The phenomenon of gamma-ray burst （GRB） spectral lags is very common, but a definitive explanation has not yet been given. From a sample of 82 GRB pulses we find that the spectral lags are correlated with the pulse widths, however, there is no correlation between the relative spectral lags and the relative pulse widths. We suspect that the correlations between spectral lags and pulse widths might be caused by the Lorentz factor of the GRBs concerned. Our analysis on the relative quantities suggests that the intrinsic spectral lag might reflect other aspect of pulses than the aspect associated with the dynamical time of shocks or that associated with the time delay due to the curvature effect.

Constraints on generalized Chaplygin gas model including gamma-ray bursts

Generalized Chaplygin gas （whose equation of state is PGCG = -A/ρGCG^α） was proposed as a candidate for unification of dark energy and dark matter. We investigate constraints on this model with the latest observed data. We test the model with type-Ia supernovae （SNe Ia）, cosmic microwave background （CMB） anisotropy, X-ray gas mass fractions in clusters, and gamma-ray bursts （GRBs）. We calibrate the GRB luminosity relations without assuming any cosmological models using SNe Ia. We show that GRBs can extend the Hubble diagram to higher redshifts （z 〉 6）. The GRB Hubble diagram is well behaved and delineates the shape of the Hubble diagram well. We measure As≡A/ρGCG,0^α＋1 =0.68-0.08^＋0.04（where PGCG,0 is the energy density today） and α=-0.22 -0.13^＋0.15 at the 1σ confidence level using all the datasets. Our results rule out the standard Chaplygin gas model （α = 1） at the 3σ confidence level. The ACDM is allowed at the 2σ confidence level. We find that acceleration could have started at a redshift of z - 0.70. The concordance of the generalized Chaplygin gas model with the age estimate of an old high redshift quasar is found. In addition, we show that GRBs can break the degeneracy between the generalized Chaplygin gas model and the XCDM model.

Extending the correlation of L_R-L_X to gamma-ray bursts

The well-known correlation between radio luminosity （LR） and X-ray luminosity （Lx）, LR/LX 10^-5, holds for a variety of objects, such as active galactic nuclei, Galactic black holes, solar flares and cool stars. Here we extend the relation to gamma-ray bursts （GRBs） and find that the GRBs also obey a similar LR - LX relation, with a slightly different slope of LR ∝ LX^1.1. This relation implies that the explosions that occur on different scales may have a common underlying origin.

A Test on Different Types of the Time Curve of Hardness Ratio of Gamma-Ray Bursts based on the Curvature Effect

We analyzed a sample of 66 gamma-ray bursts （GRBs） and statistically confirmed the prediction on the time curve of the hardness ratio of GRBs made by Qin et al. based on the curvature effect. In their analysis, GRB pulses are divided into three types according to the shape of their raw hardness ratio （RHR） time curves, defined as to include the background counts to the signal counts, so as to make use of counts within small time intervals. Of the three types, very hard sources exhibit a perfect pulse-like profile （type 1）, hard bursts possess a pulse-like profile with a dip in the decay phase （type 2）, and soft bursts show no pulse-like profile but have only a dipped profile （type 3）. In terms of the conventional hardness ratio, type 3 sources are indeed generally softer than those of type 1 and type 2, in agreement with the prediction. We found that the minimum value of RHR is sensitive in distinguishing the different types. We propose that GRB pulses can be classified according to the minimum value of RHR and that the different type sources may be connected with different strengths of the shock or/and the magnetic field.

Latest cosmological constraints on Cardassian expansion models including the updated gamma-ray bursts

We constrain the Cardassian expansion models from the latest observa- tions, including the updated Gamma-ray bursts （GRBs）, which are calibrated using a cosmology independent method from the Union2 compilation of type Ia supernovae （SNe Ia）. By combining the GRB data with the joint observations from the Union2 SNe Ia set, along with the results from the Cosmic Microwave Background radia- tion observation from the seven-year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe and the baryonic acoustic oscillation observation galaxy sample from the spectroscopic Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release. we find significant constraints on the model oarameters of the original Cardassian model ΩM0=0.282-0.014^0.015,n=0.03-0.05^＋0.05 and n=-0.16-3.26^＋0.25,β=0.76-0.58^＋0.34 of the modified polytropic Cardassian model, which are consistent with the ACDM model in a l-or confidence region. From the reconstruction of the deceleration parameter q（z） in Cardassian models, we obtain the transition redshift ZT = 0.73 ± 0.04 for the original Cardassian model and ZT = 0.68 ± 0.04 for the modified polytropic Cardassian model.

Can the bump in the composite spectrum of GRB 910503 be an emission line feature of gamma-ray bursts?

Appearing in the composite spectral data of BATSE, EGRET and COMPTEL for GRB 910503, there is a bump at around 1600keV. We perform a statistical analysis on the spectral data, trying to find out if the bump could be accounted for by a blue-shifted and significantly broadened rest frame line due to the Doppler effect of an expanding fireball surface. We made an F-test and adopted previously proposed criteria. The study reveals that the criteria are well satisfied and the feature can be interpreted as the blue shifted 6.4 keV line. From the fit with this line taken into account, we find the Lorentz factor of this source to be F = 116-9^＋9 （at the 68% confident level, △X^2 = 1） and the rest frame spectral peak energy to be E0,p=2.96-0.18^＋0.24 ke V.Although the existence of the emission line feature requires other independent tests to confirm, the analysis suggests that it is feasible to detect emission line features in the high energy range of GRB spectra when taking into account the Doppler effect of fireball expansion.

X-ray plateaus followed by sharp drops in GRBs 060413, 060522, 060607A and 080330: Further evidences for central engine afterglow from gamma-ray bursts

The X-ray afterglows of GRBs 060413, 060522, 060607A and 080330 are characterized by a plateau followed by a very sharp drop. The plateau could be explained within the framework of the external forward shock model but the sharp drop can not. We interpret the plateau as the afterglows of magnetized central engines, plausibly magnetars. In this model, the X-ray afterglows are powered by the internal magnetic energy dissipation and the sudden drop is caused by the collapse of the magnetar. Accordingly, the X-ray plateau photons should have a high linear polarization, which can be tested by future X-ray polarimetry.

Gamma-ray bursts and their links with supernovae and cosmology

Gamma-ray bursts are the most luminous explosions in the Universe, whose origin and mechanism are the focus of intense interest. They appear connected to su- pernova remnants from massive stars or the merger of their remnants, and their bright- ness makes them temporarily detectable out to the largest distances yet explored in the universe. After pioneering breakthroughs from space and ground experiments, their study is entering a new phase with observations from the recently launched Fermi satellite, as well as the prospect of detections or limits from large neutrino and gravitational wave detectors. The interplay between such observations and theoretical models of gamma-ray bursts is reviewed, and cosmology. as well as their connections to supernovae

Delayed onset and fast rise of prompt optical-UV emission from gamma-ray bursts in molecular clouds

Observations imply that long ＂y-ray bursts （GRBs） originate from the explo- sions of massive stars, therefore they may occur in the molecular clouds where their progenitors were born. We show that the prompt optical-UV emission from GRBs may be delayed due to dust extinction, which can explain the observed optical delayed on- set and fast rise in GRB 080319B well. The density and the size of the molecular cloud around GRB 080319B are roughly constrained to be ~ 103 cm-z and ~ 8 pc, respectively. We also investigate other GRBs with prompt optical-UV data, and find similar values of the densities and sizes of the local molecular clouds. Future obser- vations of prompt optical-UV emission from GRBs on a timescale of subseconds, e.g. by UFFO-Pathfinder and SVOM-GWAC, will provide more evidence and probes of the local environments of GRBs.

Multiband fitting to three long GRBs with Fermi/LAT data:structured ejecta sweeping up a density-jump medium

We present broadband （radio, optical, X-ray and GeV） fits to the afterglow light curves and spectra of three long-duration gamma-ray bursts （GRBs 080916C, 090902B, and 090926A） detected by the Gamma-Ray Burst Monitor and Large Area Telescope （LAT） instruments on the Fermi satellite. Using the observed broadband data, we study the origin of the high energy emission, and suggest that the early-time GeV emission and the late-time radio, optical, and X-ray afterglows can be under- stood as being due to synchrotron emission from an external forward shock caused by structured ejecta propagating in a wind bubble jumping to a homogeneous density medium. If the ceasing time for a majority of the energy injection is assumed to be close to the deceleration time of the forward shock, the structured ejecta with con- tinuous energy injection towards the forward shock can well explain the early rising feature of the GeV mission from these bursts, and the density-jump medium can ac- count for some particular plateaus or flares in the late afterglows. From our fits, we find that, on one hand, the external shock origin of the GeV photons will make the optical depth not have a significant contribution to the early LAT rising part, which will loosen the strong constraint of lower limits of the Lorentz factor. On the other hand, these Fermi-LAT events preferentially occur in a low-density circumburst environment, in which case the Klein-Nishina cutoff will significantly suppress the Self- Synchrotron Compton radiation. Such an environment might result from superbubbles or low-metallicity progenitor stars （which have a low mass-loss rate at late times of stellar evolution） of type Ib/c supernovae.

Short-living Supermassive Magnetar Model for the Early X-ray Flares Following Short GRBs

We suggest a short-lived supermassive magnetar model to account for the X-ray flares following short γ-ray bursts. In this model the central engine of the short γ-ray bursts is a supermassive millisecond magnetar, formed in coalescence of double neutron stars. The X-ray flares are powered by the dipole radiation of the magnetar. When the magnetar has lost a significant part of its angular momentum, it collapses to a black hole and the X-ray flares cease abruptly.

Onboard GRB trigger algorithms of SVOM-GRM

The Gamma-Ray Monitor （GRM） is a high energy detector onboard the future Chinese-French satellite named the Space-based multi-band astronomical Variable Object Monitor which is dedicated to studies of gamma-ray bursts （GRBs）. This paper presents an investigation of the algorithms that look for GRBs by searching for a significant increase in the photon count rate for the computer onboard GRM. The trigger threshold and trigger efficiency, which are based on a given sample of GRBs, are calculated with the algorithms. The trigger characteristics of onboard instruments GRM and ECLAIRs are also analyzed. In addition, the impact of solar flares on GRM is estimated, and a method to distinguish solar flares from GRBs is investigated.

A two-step energy injection explanation for the rebrightenings of the multi-band afterglow of GRB 081029

The afterglow of GRB 081029 showed unusual behavior, with a signifi- cant rebrightening being observed at the optical wavelength at about 3000 s after the burst. One possible explanation is that the rebrightening resulted from an energy in- jection. Here we present a detailed numerical study of the energy injection process and interpret the X-ray and optical afterglow light curves of GRB 081029. In our model, we have assumed two periods of energy injection, each with a constant injec- tion power. One injection starts at 2.8 × 10^3 s and lasts for about 2500 s, with a power of 7.0 × 10^47 erg s-1. This energy injection mainly accounts for the rapid rebrighten- ing at about 3000 s. The other injection starts at 8.0 × 10^3 s and lasts for about 5000 s. The injection power is 3.5 × 10^47 erg s-1. This energy injection can help to explain the slight rebrightening at about 10 000 s. It is shown that the observed optical after- glow, especially the marked rebrightening at about 3000 s, can be reproduced well. In the X-ray band, the predicted amplitude of the rebrightening is much shallower, which is also consistent with the observed X-ray afterglow light curve. It is argued that the two periods of energy injection can be produced by clumpy materials falling onto the central compact object of the burster, which leads to an enhancement of accretion and gives rise to a strong temporary outflow.

Modeling multiband emissions from two young SNRs with a time-dependent magnetic field

The nonthermal components in hard X-rays have been detected in two young supernova remnants （SNRs）： SN 1006 and Kepler＇s SNR. Various theoretical models showed that the amplification of the magnetic field was crucial to explain their multiband emission properties. We investigate the evolution of the magnetic field and model the multiband emissions from these two young SNRs with a time-dependent injection model. The results indicate that （1） the radio and X-ray emissions are re- produced by synchrotron radiation of the injected electrons, while the y-rays can be explained as inverse Compton scattering of the relativistic electrons and proton-proton interaction of the high-energy protons; and （2） the amplification of the magnetic field spontaneously happens with reasonable parameters.

Effect of rapid evolution of magnetic tilt angle on a newborn magnetar's dipole radiation

We study the electromagnetic radiation from a newborn magnetar whose magnetic tilt angle decreases rapidly. We calculate the evolution of the angular spin frequency, the perpendicular component of the surface magnetic field strength, and the energy loss rate through magnetic dipole radiation. We show that the spin-down of the magnetar experiences two stages characterized by two different timescales. The apparent magnetic field decreases with the decrease of the tilt angle. We further show that the energy loss rate of the magnetar is very different from that in the case of a fixed tilt angle. The evolution of the energy loss rate is consistent with the overall light curves of gamma-ray bursts which show a plateau structure in their afterglow stage. Our model supports the idea that some gamma-ray bursts with a plateau phase in their afterglow stage may originate from newborn millisecond magnetars.

Does the Amati Relation depend on the Luminosity of the GRB's Host Galaxy?

In order to test the systematics of the Amati relation, 24 long-duration GRBs with available Eγ,iso and Ep are separated into two subgroups according to the B-band luminosity of their host galaxies. The Amati relations in the two subgroups are found to be in agreement with each other within the uncertainties. Taking into account of the well established luminosity - metallicity relation of galaxies, no strong evolution of the Amati relation with the GRB＇s environmental metaUicity is implied in this study.

Early afterglows from radially structured outflows and the application to X-ray shallow decays

In the fireball model, it is more physically realistic that ganuna-ray burst （GRB） ejecta have a range of bulk Lorentz factors （assuming M ∝ Г^-8）. The low Lorentz factor part of the ejecta will catch up with the high Lorentz factor part when the latter is decelerated by the surrounding medium to a comparable Lorentz factor. Such a process will develop a long-lasting weak reverse shock until the whole ejecta are shocked. Meanwhile, the forward shocked materials are gradually supplied with energy from the ejecta that are catching-up, and thus the temporal decay of the forward shock emission will be slower than that without an energy supply. However, the reverse shock may be strong. Here, we extend the standard reverse-forward shock model to the case of radially nonuniform ejecta. We show that this process can be classified into two cases： the thick shell case and the thin shell case. In the thin shell case, the reverse shock is weak and the temporal scaling law of the afterglow is the same as that in Sad ＆ Meszaros （2000）. However, in the thick shell case, the reverse shock is strong and thus its emission dominates the afterglow in the high energy band. Our results also show slower decaying behavior of the afterglow due to the energy supply by low Lorentz factor materials, which may help the understanding of the plateau observed in the early optical and X-ray afterglows.

Optical light curve of GRB 121011A:a textbook for the onset of GRB afterglow in a mixture of ISM and wind-type medium

We report the optical observations of GRB 121011 A by the 0.8m TNT facility at Xinglong observatory, China. The light curve of the optical afterglow shows a smooth and featureless bump during the epoch of;30 s and;000 s with a rising index of 1.57 ± 0.28 before the break time of 539 ± 44 s, and a decaying index of about 1.29 ± 0.07 up to the end of our observations. Moreover, the X-ray light curve decays in a single power-law with a slope of about 1.51 ± 0.03 observed by XRT onboard Swift from 100 s to about 10 000 s after the burst trigger. The featureless optical light curve could be understood as an onset process under the external-shock model. The typical frequency has been below or near the optical one before the deceleration time, and the cooling frequency is located between the optical and X-ray wavelengths. The external medium density has a transition from a mixed stage of ISM and wind-type medium before the peak time to the ISM at the later phase. The joint-analysis of X-ray and optical light curves shows that the emissions from both frequencies are consistent with the prediction of the standard afterglow model without any energy injections, indicating that the central engine has stopped its activity and does not restart anymore after the prompt phase.

Spectral cutoffs of Fermi-LAT GRBs 080916C and 090926A

It is expected that there should be a spectral cutoff at the high energy end of emission from a prompt gamma-ray burst （GRB）, due to, e.g. γγ absorption and/or a high energy cutoff in the electron distribution. We analyze the spectral data of Fermi- LAT detected GRBs 080916C and 090926A, aiming at locating the spectral cutoff. By assuming that the prompt GRB spectrum at the high energy end is a power law with an exponential cutoff, our analysis finds that the cutoff energy Ecutoff depends on the photon index/3 and the cutoff occurs at very high energy, Ecutoff = 161＋533 GeV in GRB 080916C and Ecutoff ≥ 100 GeV （forβ ≈-2.3） in GRB 090926A. Such high energy photons, if they exist, may disfavor the synchrotron origin and need alternative generation mechanisms.