Constraining ΩM\Omega_M and Dark Energy with Gamma-Ray Bursts

An $E_{\gamma,{\rm jet}}\propto {E'_p}^{1.5}$ relationship with a small scatter for current $\gamma$-ray burst (GRB) data was recently reported, where $E_{\gamma,{\rm jet}}$ is the beaming-corrected $\gamma$-ray energy and $E'_p$ is the $\nu F_\nu$ peak energy in the local observer frame. By considering this relationship for a sample of 12 GRBs with known redshift, peak energy, and break time of afterglow light curves, we constrain the mass density of the universe and the nature of dark energy. We find that the mass density $\Omega_M=0.35\pm^{0.15}_{0.15}$ (at the $1\sigma$ confident level) for a flat universe with a cosmological constant, and the $w$ parameter of an assumed static dark-energy equation of state $w=-0.84\pm^{0.57}_{0.83}$ ($1\sigma$). Our results are consistent with those from type Ia supernovae. A larger sample established by the upcoming {\em Swift} satellite is expected to provide further constraints.Comment: 8 pages including 4 figures, to appear in ApJ Letters, typos correcte

CXOU J005047.9-731817: a 292-s X-ray binary pulsar in the Small Magellanic Cloud

We report on the discovery of a transient X-ray pulsars, located in the Small Magellanic Cloud, with a pulse period of 292 s. A series of Chandra pointings fortuitously recorded in 2010 April-May the occurrence of a two-weeks-long outburst, during which the source luminosity increased by a factor of about 100, reaching a peak of ~1E36 erg/s (for a distance of 61 kpc). Complex-shape and energy-dependent pulsations were detected close to the outburst peak and during the very first part of its decay phase. During the outburst, the phase-averaged spectrum of the pulsar was well described by an absorbed power law with photon index ~0.6, but large variations as a function of phase were present. The source was also detected by Chandra several times (during 2002, 2003, 2006, and 2010) at a quiescent level of ~1E34 erg/s. In 2012 we performed an infrared photometric follow-up of the R ~ 15 mag optical counterpart with the ESO/VLT and a spectroscopic observation by means of the CTIO telescope. The optical spectra suggest a late-Oe or early-Be V-III luminosity-class star, though a more evolved companion cannot be ruled out by our data (we can exclude a luminosity class I and a spectral type later than B2). Finally, we show that the outburst main parameters (duration and peak luminosity) can be accounted for by interpreting the source transient activity as a type I outburst in a Be X-ray binary.Comment: MNRAS, in press; 8 pages, 7 figures, 4 tables; Figure 1 in reduced qualit

GRB Afterglows from Anisotropic Jets

Some progenitor models of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) (e.g., collapsars) may produce anisotropic jets in which the energy per unit solid angle is a power-law function of the angle ($\propto\theta^{-k}$). We calculate light curves and spectra for GRB afterglows when such jets expand either in the interstellar medium or in the wind medium. In particular, we take into account two kinds of wind: one ($n\propto r^{-3/2}$) possibly from a typical red supergiant star and another ($n\propto r^{-2}$) possibly from a Wolf-Rayet star. We find that in each type of medium, one break appears in the late-time afterglow light curve for small $k$ but becomes weaker and smoother as $k$ increases. When $k\ge 2$, the break seems to disappear but the afterglow decays rapidly. Thus, one expects that the emission from expanding, highly anisotropic jets provides a plausible explanation for some rapidly fading afteglows whose light curves have no break. We also present good fits to the optical afterglow light curve of GRB 991208. Finally, we argue that this burst might arise from a highly anisotropic jet expanding in the wind ($n\propto r^{-3/2}$) from a red supergiant to interpret the observed radio-to-optical-band afterglow data (spectrum and light curve).Comment: 12 pages + 10 figures, accepted by Ap

Commissioning of the CMS DT electronics under magnetic field

After several months of installation and commissioning of the CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid) DT (Drift Tube) electronics, the system has finally been operated under magnetic field during the so-called CRAFT (Cosmic Run at Four Tesla) exercise. Over 4 weeks, the full detector has been running continuously under magnetic field and managed to acquire more than 300 million cosmic muons. The performance of the trigger and data acquisition systems during this period has been very satisfactory. The main results concerning stability and reliability of the detector are presented and discussed

Unveiling the nature of the unidentified gamma-ray sources III: gamma-ray blazar-like counterparts at low radio frequencies

About one third of the gamma-ray sources listed in the second Fermi LAT catalog (2FGL) have no firmly established counterpart at lower energies so being classified as unidentified gamma-ray sources (UGSs). Here we propose a new approach to find candidate counterparts for the UGSs based on the 325 MHz radio survey performed with Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT) in the northern hemisphere. First we investigate the low-frequency radio properties of blazars, the largest known population of gamma-ray sources; then we search for sources with similar radio properties combining the information derived from the Westerbork Northern Sky Survey (WENSS) with those of the NRAO VLA Sky survey (NVSS). We present a list of candidate counterparts for 32 UGSs with at least one counterpart in the WENSS. We also performed an extensive research in literature to look for infrared and optical counterparts of the gamma-ray blazar candidates selected with the low-frequency radio observations to confirm their nature. On the basis of our multifrequency research we identify 23 new gamma-ray blazar candidates out of 32 UGSs investigated. Comparison with previous results on the UGSs are also presented. Finally, we speculate on the advantages on the use of the low-frequency radio observations to associate UGSs and to search for gamma-ray pulsar candidates.Comment: 15 pages, 13 figures, 3 tables, ApJS accepted for publication (version pre-proof corrections

Gamma-Ray Burst Afterglows with Energy Injection: Homogeneous Versus Wind External Media

Assuming an adiabatic evolution of a gamma-ray burst (GRB) fireball interacting with an external medium, we calculate the hydrodynamics of the fireball with energy injection from a strongly magnetic millisecond pulsar through magnetic dipole radiation, and obtain the light curve of the optical afterglow from the fireball by synchrotron radiation. Results are given both for a homogeneous external medium and for a wind ejected by GRB progenitor. Our calculations are also available in both ultra-relativistic and non-relativistic phases. Furthermore, the observed R-band light curve of GRB{000301C} can be well fitted in our model, which might provide a probe of the properties of GRB progenitors.Comment: revised version for publication in Chin. Phys. Let

Optical spectroscopic observations of gamma-ray blazar candidates II. The 2013 KPNO campaign in the Northern Hemisphere

We recently started a systematic search of low-energy counterparts of the unidentified gamma-ray sources (UGSs) listed in the Fermi-Large Area Telescope (LAT) First Source Catalog (1FGL) and the Fermi-LAT 2-Year Source Catalog (2FGL).} The main goal of our investigation is to find active galaxies belonging to the blazar class that lie within the positional uncertainty region of the UGSs and thus could be their potential low-energy counterparts. To achieve our aims, we first adopted several procedures based on the peculiar observational properties of blazars in the radio and in the IR. Then we carried out a follow-up spectroscopic campaign in the optical band to verify the nature of the candidates selected as potential counterparts of the UGSs. Here we present the results of the observations carried out in 2013 in the Northern Hemisphere at Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO). Optical spectroscopy is crucial to confirm the nature of the sources and can be used to estimate their redshifts; it will also allow us to test the robustness of our methods when the whole campaign is completed. Here we present the optical spectroscopic observations of 39 sources. Within our sample we found that 6 sources are blazars, candidates to be low-energy counterparts of the UGSs listed in the 2FGL. We confirm that an additional 8 sources, previously classified as active galaxies of uncertain type and associated in the 2FGL, are also all BL Lac objects. Moreover, we also present 20 new spectra for known blazars listed in the Multi-frequency Catalogue of Blazars as having an uncertain redshift and/or being classified as BL Lac candidates. We conclude that our methods for selecting gamma-ray blazar candidates allows us to discover new blazars and increase the list of potential low-energy counterparts for the Fermi UGSs.Comment: 27 pages, 39 figures, 1 table, A&A accepted for publication (pre-proof version