两类γ暴的谱形和光变曲线的统计差异的K-S检验

最近的研究表明：短γ射线暴（γ暴）的辐射特性和长γ暴的前两秒的辐射特征相似，这引发了对以前争论的问题，即：这两类暴是否是本质上相同的暴？本文主要对和γ暴谱形和光变曲线有关的两个量的分布进行了K—S检验。分析表明：这两类暴的分布是不同的，这和广为接受的两类γ暴事件产生于不同机制的观点是一致的。     

γ射线暴谱硬度比的时间演化特征

采用小波分析方法对康普顿γ射线天文台(CGRO)上的BATSE仪器观测到的γ暴光变曲线数据进行去噪处理，并提出时间分辨的谱硬度比定义，用包含有599个暴的样本研究谱硬度比随时间的演化规律，结果表明：(1)样本中77％暴的谱硬度比随时间按“硬到软”规律演化，而23％暴谱硬度比随时间按“软到硬”规律演化，尤其是3％暴在整个暴中呈现单调的“软到硬”趋势。(2)平均谱硬度比随时间单调地以“硬到软”规律演化。(3)持续时间不同的暴，其谱硬度比演化曲线有较大的差异，其中“硬到软”演化趋势最显著的是持续时间在23-35s之间的那些暴；持续时间在l-10s的暴的演化特征跟其它组差异最显著，呈现比较明显的“软到硬”演化规律；持续时间在35—53s之间的暴平均谱硬度比几乎没有随时间演化。(4)不同辐射强度的暴平均谱硬度比的演化特征不同，随着峰值流量的增大，谱硬度比演化由“硬-软-硬”逐渐转变为“软-硬-软”：峰值流量越大，“软-硬-软”的趋势越显著，而峰值流量越小，其峰值流量“硬-软-硬”的趋势越显著。我们对这些结果进行了简单的讨论。     

伽玛暴及其早期X射线余辉的观测特征

Swift卫星的X射线望远镜观测揭示部分伽玛暴的早期余辉光变曲线有一个缓慢衰减的成分,而相当一部分却没有这样的成分.研究比较这两种暴的观测性质发现两类暴的持续时间、伽玛辐射总流量、谱指数、谱硬度比峰值能量等物理量均没有显著差异.然而有该成分的那些伽玛暴谱比较软、早期X射线余辉比较弱、伽玛射线辐射效率显著高于没有这个成分的那些暴.结果表明两类暴的前身星和中心机制一致,是否呈现这个缓慢衰减成分可能取决于外部介质.     

两类γ暴的谱形和光变曲线的统计差异

使用currentBATSE catakog中的一部分数据，定义了2个分别反映γ射线暴的能谱形和光变曲线的物理量FR和TR，同时对它们的分布作了统计分析，发现对于两类不同的γ射线暴，它们的分布存在统计上的较为明显的差异。这意味着两类暴可能产生于不同的辐射区域，两类暴的暴源可能有本质的差异，这些结果支持了把γ射线暴分为长暴和短暴的分类方法。     

一个微波爆发的源区磁场和高能电子的能流估计

本文分析了１９９３年１０月２日０７：３９：４０－０７：４１：００ＵＴ时段太阳产生的一个多脉冲微波暴的观测，认为它是由多个脉冲爆发叠加在一个慢变爆发背景上组成的．根据谱分析和利用我们的日冕磁场诊断公式［１］，第一次获得了一个爆发源区的磁场强度和高能电子的信息，其主要结果是：（１）脉冲爆发分量在光薄部分的射电谱指数的平均值比慢变爆发背景的值小１，即前者的谱比后者的硬．在１９．６ＧＨｚ上的亮度温度前者比后者高６倍．（２）从脉冲爆发分量和慢变爆发背景分量推断的源区磁场平均值分别为１５８和５３１高斯，且发现在爆发期间，慢变暴源区磁场强度随时间圣马鞍形变化，在极大相的值比脉冲相和下降相低约５０％（３）产生脉冲暴分量的高能电子的柱密度ＮＬ和数密度Ｎ（＞Ｅ０）分别为慢变暴分量的４％和８％，但它们所携带的能流和发射系数要比慢变爆发分量的值高１倍和８倍！表明这两种爆发成份可能分别来自能谱不同的两群电子在不同爆发源区的辐射．     

γ射线暴谱硬度比的时间演化特征

采用小波分析方法对康普顿γ射线天文台(CGRO)上的BATSE仪器观测到的γ暴光变曲线数据进行去噪处理,并提出时间分辨的谱硬度比定义,用包含有599个暴的样本研究谱硬度比随时间的演化规律,结果表明:(1)样本中77%暴的谱硬度比随时间按"硬到软"规律演化,而23%暴谱硬度比随时间按"软到硬"规律演化,尤其是3%暴在整个暴中呈现单调的"软到硬"趋势。(2)平均谱硬度比随时间单调地以"硬到软"规律演化。(3)持续时间不同的暴,其谱硬度比演化曲线有较大的差异,其中"硬到软"演化趋势最显著的是持续时间在23～35s之间的那些暴;持续时间在1～10s的暴的演化特征跟其它组差异最显著,呈现比较明显的"软到硬"演化规律;持续时间在35～53s之间的暴平均谱硬度比几乎没有随时间演化。(4)不同辐射强度的暴平均谱硬度比的演化特征不同,随着峰值流量的增大,谱硬度比演化由"硬-软-硬"逐渐转变为"软-硬-软":峰值流量越大,"软-硬-软"的趋势越显著,而峰值流量越小,其峰值流量"硬-软-硬"的趋势越显著。我们对这些结果进行了简单的讨论。     

γ射线暴相关性质的长期变化

分析第三个ＢＡＴＳＥγ射线暴表所列γ暴数据，发现γ射线暴参量间的相关性质随时间存在系统的变化。从１９９１年４月至１９９４年９月，γ射线暴能流与暴宽间的相关系数随时间上升。短暴的能谱硬度与暴宽间的相关系数随时间显上升，而对于长暴未发现类似的变化。     

γ射线暴相关性质的长期变化

分析第三个ＢＡＴＳＥγ射线暴表所列γ暴数据，发现γ射线暴参量间的相关性质随时间存在系统的变化．从１９９１年４月至１９９４年９月，γ射线暴能流与暴宽间的相关系数随时间上升．短暴的能谱硬度与暴宽间的相关系数随时间显著上升，而对于长暴未发现类似的变化．     

具平缓电子能谱的伽玛射线暴的解析光变曲线

在标准的伽玛暴余辉模型中,电子通过费米一级加速后形成单幂律能谱分布dn/dγe∝γe-p(p≈2.3),但在某些伽玛暴事件中观测到了平缓的电子能谱分布(即p＜2).在单幂律谱和分段幂律谱两种情况下,分别给出了具有平缓电子能谱的伽玛暴余辉的解析光变曲线,并以GRB 060908为例进行了讨论.同时提出了伽玛暴低能谱危机的...     

γ射线暴的研究进展（Ⅰ）：γ暴的观测特征及能源机制

文中评述了过去２０年中对γ暴的观测结果，包括它的时间特性，能谱特征和空间分布。γ暴的时间结构非常复杂，持续时间相关很大，从小于１ｓ到１０００ｓ，平均大约为１５ｓ。     

A Study on the Light Curves of GRBs

It is generally believed that the complexity and variability of the light curves of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are caused by the internal shocks, which would occur when a rapid shell catches up a slower one and collides with it. The electrons in the shock layer are heated by the shocks and radiate via the mechanisms of synchrotron radiation and inverse Compton scattering. Based on relativistic kinematics, a relation between the photon number of the emission from the rapidly moving shock layer and the number of the photons received by an observer is derived. Then, employing the angular spreading of the internal shock emission, the curve equation and profile of a single pulse are obtained, and the shape is typically in the shape of a fast rise and exponential decline. Furthermore, by using the model of the successive collisions of multiple shells under the condition of reasonable parameters, the observed light curves are fitted with a rather good effect. Therefore, by this means, more different types of light curves of GRBs can be explained.     

A search for ultra-high energy counterparts to gamma-ray bursts

A small air shower array operating over many years has been used to search for ultra-high energy (UHE) gamma radiation ( 50 TeV) associated with gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) detected by the BATSE instrument on the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory (CGRO). Upper limits for a one minute interval after each burst are presented for seven GRBs located with zenith angles < 20°. A 4.3 excess over background was observed between 10 and 20 minutes following the onset of a GRB on 11 May 1991. The confidence level that this is due to a real effect and not a background fluctuation is 99.8%. If this effect is real then cosmological models are excluded for this burst because of absorption of UHE gamma rays by the intergalactic radiation fields.     

United classification of cosmic gamma-ray bursts and their counterparts

This paper establishes united classification of gamma-ray bursts and their counterparts on the basis of measured characteristics: photon energy E and emission duration T. We find that the interrelation between these characteristics is such that as the energy increases, the duration decreases (and vice versa). The given interrelation reflects the nature of the phenomenon and forms the E–T diagram, which represents a natural classification of all observed events in the energy range from about 10⁹ to 10⁻⁶ eV and in the corresponding interval of durations from about 10⁻² up to 10⁸ s. The proposed classification results from our findings, which are principal for the theory and practical study of the phenomenon.     

Associations of very high energy gamma-ray sources discovered by H.E.S.S. with pulsar wind nebulae

The H.E.S.S. array of imaging Cherenkov telescopes has discovered a number of previously unknown γ-ray sources in the very high energy (VHE) domain above 100 GeV. The good angular resolution of H.E.S.S. (∼0.1° per event), as well as its sensitivity (a few percent of the Crab Nebula flux) and wide 5° field of view, allow a much better constrained search for counterparts in comparison to previous instruments. In several cases, the association of the VHE sources revealed by H.E.S.S. with pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe) is supported by a combination of positional and morphological evidence, multi-wavelength observations, and plausible PWN model parameters. These include the plerions in the composite supernova remnants G 0.9+0.1 and MSH 15–52, the recently discovered Vela X nebula, two new sources in the Kookaburra complex, and the association of HESS J1825–137 with PSR B1823–13. The properties of these better-established associations are reviewed. A number of other sources discovered by H.E.S.S. are located near high spin-down power pulsars, but the evidence for association is less complete. These possible associations are also discussed, in the context of the available multi-wavelength data and plausible PWN scenarios. For the H.E.S.S. Collaboration     

The strongest cosmic magnets: soft gamma-ray repeaters and anomalous X-ray pulsars

Two classes of X-ray pulsars, the anomalous X-ray pulsars and the soft gamma-ray repeaters, have been recognized in the last decade as the most promising candidates for being magnetars: isolated neutron stars powered by magnetic energy. I review the observational properties of these objects, focussing on the most recent results, and their interpretation in the magnetar model. Alternative explanations, in particular those based on accretion from residual disks, are also considered. The possible relations between these sources and other classes of neutron stars and astrophysical objects are also discussed.     

Cascades in the Earth’s magnetosphere initiated by photons with the parameters of the highest energy AGASA events

We investigate the cascading effects of extremely high energy (EHE) photons in the Earth’s magnetosphere assuming that these photons arrive with the parameters of the highest energy AGASA events (energies, arrival directions). For the location of the AGASA Observatory, we determine the directions in the sky from which photons can cascade with a high (low) probability. In the case of the primary photons with the parameters of the events with the energies >10²⁰ eV, we compute the average cascade spectra of secondary photons entering the Earth’s atmosphere, and estimate their fluctuations around these average values by selecting the events with the largest and smallest number of secondary cascade photons. It is shown that most photons with the parameters of the highest energy AGASA events should initiate cascades in the Earth’s magnetosphere with a high probability even though they tend to arrive from directions in the sky for which the perpendicular component of the magnetic field is weaker. On the other hand, if these events are caused by the photons with lower energies, then the fluctuations in their shower development in the magnetosphere and the atmosphere should be higher than in the case of photons with the energies estimated by the AGASA experiment.     

Limits on the TeV flux of diffuse gamma rays as measured with the HEGRA air shower array

Using data from the HEGRA air shower array, taken in the period from April 1998 to March 2000, upper limits on the ratio I_γ/I_CR of the diffuse photon flux I_γ to the hadronic cosmic ray flux I_CR are determined for the energy region 20–100 TeV. The analysis uses a gamma–hadron discrimination which is based on differences in the development of photon- and hadron-induced air showers after the shower maximum. A method which is sensitive only to the non-isotropic component of the diffuse photon flux yields an upper limit of I_γ/I_CR (at 54 TeV) <2.0×10⁻³ (at the 90% confidence level) for a sky region near the inner galaxy (20°< galactic longitude <60° and |galactic latitude |<5°). A method which is sensitive to both the isotropic and the non-isotropic component yields global upper limits of I_γ/I_CR (at 31 TeV) <1.2×10⁻² and I_γ/I_CR (at 53 TeV) <1.4×10⁻² (at the 90% confidence level).     

Multi-band observations of gamma ray bursts

This talk focuses on the various aspects we learnt from multiband observations of GRBs both, before and during the afterglow era. A statistical analysis to estimate the probable redshifts of host galaxies using the luminosity function of GRBs compatible with both the afterglow redshift data as well as the overall population of GRBs is discussed. We then address the question whether the observed fields of GRBs with precise localizations from third Inter-Planetary Network (IPN³) contain suitable candidates for their host galaxies.     

Direct GRB fireball Lorentz factor measurements through REM early afterglow observations

The huge energies involved in gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) coupled with the short emission time scales unavoidably imply that the emitting source is moving relativistically, with a speed close to that of light. Here we present the REM telescope observations of the early-time near-infrared light curves of the GRB 060418 and GRB 060607A afterglows. The detection of the afterglow peak provides for the first time a direct measurement of the initial Lorentz factor Γ₀ of the radiating material. We find that the emitting region was indeed highly relativistic in the first seconds after the explosions, with Γ₀∼400. Comparison with the Lorentz factor as determined at later epochs provides direct evidence that the emitting shell is decelerating and confirms that the afterglow emission is powered by the dissipation of bulk kinetic energy. The deceleration radius was inferred to be R _dec≈10¹⁷ cm. This is much larger than the internal shocks radius (believed to power the prompt emission), thus providing further evidence for a different origin of the prompt and afterglow stages of the GRB. Susanna D. Vergani on behalf of the REM collaboration.