Utilizing the Updated Gamma-Ray Bursts and Type Ia Supernovae to Constrain the Cardassian Expansion Model and Dark Energy

We update gamma-ray burst (GRB) luminosity relations among certain spectral and light-curve features with 139 GRBs. The distance modulus of 82 GRBs at $z>1.4$ can be calibrated with the sample at $z\leq1.4$ by using the cubic spline interpolation method from the Union2.1 Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) set. We investigate the joint constraints on the Cardassian expansion model and dark energy with 580 Union2.1 SNe Ia sample ($z<1.4$) and 82 calibrated GRBs data ($1.4<z\leq8.2$). In $\Lambda$CDM, we find that adding 82 high-\emph{z} GRBs to 580 SNe Ia significantly improves the constrain on $\Omega_{m}-\Omega_{\Lambda}$ plane. In the Cardassian expansion model, the best fit is $\Omega_{m}= 0.24_{-0.15}^{+0.15}$ and $n=0.16_{-0.52}^{+0.30}$ $(1\sigma)$, which is consistent with the $\Lambda$CDM cosmology $(n=0)$ in the $1\sigma$ confidence region. We also discuss two dark energy models in which the equation of state $w(z)$ is parametrized as $w(z)=w_{0}$ and $w(z)=w_{0}+w_{1}z/(1+z)$, respectively. Based on our analysis, we see that our Universe at higher redshift up to $z=8.2$ is consistent with the concordance model within $1\sigma$ confidence level.Comment: 17 pages, 6 figures, 2 tables; accepted for publication in Advances in Astronomy, special issue on Gamma-Ray Burst in Swift and Fermi Era. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:0802.4262, arXiv:0706.0938 by other author

Constraining the Mass of the Photon with Gamma-Ray Bursts

One of the cornerstones of modern physics is Einstein's special relativity, with its constant speed of light and zero photon mass assumptions. Constraint on the rest mass m_{\gamma} of photons is a fundamental way to test Einstein's theory, as well as other essential electromagnetic and particle theories. Since non-zero photon mass can give rise to frequency-(or energy-) dependent dispersions, measuring the time delay of photons with different frequencies emitted from explosive astrophysical events is an important and model-independent method to put such a constraint. The cosmological gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), with short time scales, high redshifts as well as broadband prompt and afterglow emissions, provide an ideal testbed for m_{\gamma} constraints. In this paper we calculate the upper limits of the photon mass with GRB early time radio afterglow observations as well as multi-band radio peaks, thus improve the results of Schaefer (1999) by nearly half an order of magnitude.Comment: 25 pages, 2 tables, Accepted by Journal of High Energy Astrophysic

Spatial spillover effects in determining China\u27s regional CO2 emission growth : 2007-2010

This paper proposes an alternative input-output based spatial-structural decomposition analysis to elucidate the role of domestic-regional heterogeneity and interregional spillover effects in determining China\u27s regional CO2 emission growth. Our empirical results based on the 2007 and 2010 Chinese interregional input-output tables show that the changes in most regions\u27 final demand scale, final expenditure structure and export scale give positive spatial spillover effects on other regions\u27 CO2 emission growth, the changes in most regions\u27 consumption and export preference help the reduction of other regions\u27 CO2 emissions, the changes in production technology, and investment preference may give positive or negative impacts on other region\u27s CO2 emission growth through domestic supply chains. For some regions, the aggregate spillover effect from other regions may be larger than the intra-regional effect in determining regional emission growth. All these facts can significantly help better and deeper understanding on the driving forces of China\u27s regional CO2 emission growth, thus can enrich the policy implication concerning a narrow definition of "carbon leakage" through domestic-interregional trade, and relevant political consensus about the responsibility sharing between developed and developing regions inside China