822 research outputs found
Analysis of the X-ray Emission of Nine Swift Afterglows
The X-ray light-curves of 9 Swift XRT afterglows (050126, 050128, 050219A,
050315, 050318, 050319, 050401, 050408, 050505) display a complex behaviour: a
steep t^{-3.0 \pm 0.3} decay until ~400 s, followed by a significantly slower
t^{-0.65+/-0.20} fall-off, which at 0.2--2 d after the burst evolves into a
t^{-1.7+/-0.5} decay. We consider three possible models for the geometry of
relativistic blast-waves (spherical outflows, non-spreading jets, and spreading
jets), two possible dynamical regimes for the forward shock (adiabatic and
fully radiative), and we take into account a possible angular structure of the
outflow and delayed energy injection in the blast-wave, to identify the models
which reconcile the X-ray light-curve decay with the slope of the X-ray
continuum for each of the above three afterglow phases. By piecing together the
various models for each phase in a way that makes physical sense, we identify
possible models for the entire X-ray afterglow. The major conclusion of this
work is that a long-lived episode of energy injection in the blast-wave, during
which the shock energy increases at t^{1.0+/-0.5}, is required for five
afterglows and could be at work in the other four as well. Optical observations
in conjunction with the X-ray can distinguish among these various models. Our
simple tests allow the determination of the location of the cooling frequency
relative to the X-ray domain and, thus, of the index of the electron power-law
distribution with energy in the blast-wave. The resulting indices are clearly
inconsistent with an universal value.Comment: 10 pages, minor changes, to be published in the MNRA
Time lag between prompt optical emission and gamma-rays in GRBs
The prompt optical emission contemporaneous with the -rays from
-ray bursts (GRBs) carries important information on the central engine
and explosion mechanism. We study the time lag between prompt optical emission
and -rays in GRB 990123 and GRB 041219a, which are the only two GRBs
had been detected at optical wavelengths during the ascending burst phase.
Assuming profiles of prompt optical light curves are the same as the prompt
-rays, we simulate optical light curves with different time lags and
compare them with the observed optical flux. Then the best fit time lag and its
error are determined by chi-squared values. We find that time lags between
prompt optical emission and -rays in GRB host galaxy rest-frames are
consistent in the two GRBs, which is s for GRB 990123 and s
for GRB 041219a. This result is consistent with a common origin of prompt
optical and -ray emissions in the two GRBs. Based on synchrotron
cooling model, we also derive the parameters for the two GRBs.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures; accepted for publication in A&
COBE Observations of the Microwave Counterparts of Gamma Ray Bursts
We have used the data from the COBE satellite to search for delayed microwave
emission (31 - 90 GHz) from Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs). The large beam
of COBE is well matched to the large positional uncertainties in the GRB
locations, although it also means that fluxes from (point source) GRB objects
will be diluted. In view of this we are doing a statistical search of the GRBs
which occurred during the currently released COBE DMR data (years 1990 and
1991), which overlap GRBs recorded by GRO. Here we concentrate on
just the top 10 GRBs (in peak counts/second). We obtain the limits on the
emission by comparing the COBE fluxes before and after the GRB at the GRB
location. Since it is thought that the microwave emission should lag the GRB
event, we have searched the GRB position for emission in the few months
following the GRB occurrence.Comment: 5 pages, LaTE
Effect of Primordial Black Holes on the Cosmic Microwave Background and Cosmological Parameter Estimates
We investigate the effect of non-evaporating primordial black holes (PBHs) on
the ionization and thermal history of the universe. X-rays emitted by gas
accretion onto PBHs modify the cosmic recombination history, producing
measurable effects on the spectrum and anisotropies of the Cosmic Microwave
Background (CMB). Using the third-year WMAP data and FIRAS data we improve
existing upper limits on the abundance of PBHs with masses >0.1 Msun by several
orders of magnitude. Fitting WMAP3 data with cosmological models that do not
allow for non-standard recombination histories, as produced by PBHs or other
early energy sources, may lead to an underestimate of the best-fit values of
the amplitude of linear density fluctuations (sigma_8) and the scalar spectral
index (n_s). Cosmological parameter estimates are affected because models with
PBHs allow for larger values of the Thomson scattering optical depth, whose
correlation with other parameters may not be correctly taken into account when
PBHs are ignored. Values of tau_e=0.2, n_s=1 and sigma_8=0.9 are allowed at 95%
CF. This result that may relieve recent tension between WMAP3 data and clusters
data on the value of sigma_8. PBHs may increase the primordial molecular
hydrogen abundance by up to two orders of magnitude, this promoting cooling and
star formation. The suppression of galaxy formation due to X-ray heating is
negligible for models consistent with the CMB data. Thus, the formation rate of
the first galaxies and stars would be enhanced by a population of PBHs.Comment: 17 pages (Apj style), 9 figures, submitted to Ap
Modeling GRB 050904: Autopsy of a Massive Stellar Explosion at z=6.29
GRB 050904 at redshift z=6.29, discovered and observed by Swift and with
spectroscopic redshift from the Subaru telescope, is the first gamma-ray burst
to be identified from beyond the epoch of reionization. Since the progenitors
of long gamma-ray bursts have been identified as massive stars, this event
offers a unique opportunity to investigate star formation environments at this
epoch. Apart from its record redshift, the burst is remarkable in two respects:
first, it exhibits fast-evolving X-ray and optical flares that peak
simultaneously at t~470 s in the observer frame, and may thus originate in the
same emission region; and second, its afterglow exhibits an accelerated decay
in the near-infrared (NIR) from t~10^4 s to t~3 10^4 s after the burst,
coincident with repeated and energetic X-ray flaring activity. We make a
complete analysis of available X-ray, NIR, and radio observations, utilizing
afterglow models that incorporate a range of physical effects not previously
considered for this or any other GRB afterglow, and quantifying our model
uncertainties in detail via Markov Chain Monte Carlo analysis. In the process,
we explore the possibility that the early optical and X-ray flare is due to
synchrotron and inverse Compton emission from the reverse shock regions of the
outflow. We suggest that the period of accelerated decay in the NIR may be due
to suppression of synchrotron radiation by inverse Compton interaction of X-ray
flare photons with electrons in the forward shock; a subsequent interval of
slow decay would then be due to a progressive decline in this suppression. The
range of acceptable models demonstrates that the kinetic energy and circumburst
density of GRB 050904 are well above the typical values found for low-redshift
GRBs.Comment: 45 pages, 7 figures, and ApJ accepted. Revised version, minor
modifications and 1 extra figur
Variability in GRBs - A Clue
We show that external shocks cannot produce a variable GRB, unless they are
produced by an extremely narrow jets (angular opening of < ~10^{-4}) or if only
a small fraction of the shell emits the radiation and the process is very
inefficient. Internal shocks can produce the observed complex temporal
structure provided that the source itself is variable. In this case, the
observed temporal structure reflects the activity of the ``inner engine'' that
drives the bursts. This sets direct constraints on it.Comment: 15 page latex file with 5 PS figure. Complete uuencoded compressed PS
file is available at ftp://shemesh.fiz.huji.ac.il or at
http://shemesh.fiz.huji.ac.il/papers/SaP_aclue.u
An accretion model for the growth of the central black hole associated with ionization instability in quasars
A possible accretion model associated with the ionization instability of
quasar disks is proposed to address the growth of the central black hole
harbored in the host galaxy.The mass ratio between black hole and its host
galactic bulge is a nature consequence of our model.Comment: submitted to ApJ, 15 page
Dark Matter: Introduction
This short review was prepared as an introduction to the Royal Society's
'Dark Matter' conference. It addresses the embarrassing fact that 95% of the
universe is unaccounted for. Favoured dark matter candidates are axions or
weakly-interacting particles that have survived from the very early universe,
but more exotic options cannot be excluded. Experimental searches are being
made for the 'dark' particles but we have indirect clues to their nature too.
Comparisons of data (from, eg, gravitational lensing) with numerical
simulations of galaxy formation can constrain (eg) the particle velocities and
collision cross sections.
The mean cosmic density of dark matter (plus baryons) is now pinned down to
be only about 30% of the critical density However, other recent evidence --
microwave background anisotropies, complemented by data on distant supernovae
-- reveals that our universe actually is 'flat', and that its dominant
ingredient (about 70% of the total mass-energy) is something quite unexpected
-- 'dark energy' pervading all space, with negative pressure. We now confront
two mysteries:
(i) Why does the universe have three quite distinct basic ingredients --
baryons, dark matter and dark energy -- in the proportions (roughly) 5%, 25%
and 70%?
(ii) What are the (almost certainly profound) implications of the 'dark
energy' for fundamental physics?Comment: 10 pages, 1 figure. Late
Relativistic kinetic equation for Compton scattering of polarized radiation in strong magnetic field
We derive the relativistic kinetic equation for Compton scattering of
polarized radiation in strong magnetic field using the Bogolyubov method. The
induced scattering and the Pauli exclusion principle are taken into account.
The electron polarization is also considered in the general form of the kinetic
equation. The special forms of the equation for the cases of the non-polarized
electrons, the rarefied electron gas and the two polarization mode description
of radiation are found. The derived equations are valid for any photon and
electron energies and the magnetic field strength below about 10^{16} G. These
equations provide the basis for formulation of the equation for polarized
radiation transport in atmospheres and magnetospheres of strongly magnetized
neutron stars.Comment: 23 pages, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
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