X-ray Line and Recombination Emission in the Afterglow of Grb

We calculate the time-dependent line and recombination spectrum of nonequilibrium plasma heated by the strong radiation as the test model of X-ray line emission of GRB afterglows. Our calculation shows that the non-equilibrium effect of plasma is complex and important to the time evolution of the spectrum. The origin of these lines puzzles us, but is essential to understand the nature of GRBs and their circumstellar matter.     

On the pair-instability supernovae and gamma-ray burst phenomenon

We present a model of a gamma-ray burst (GRB) related to “very massive” stars. In the framework of our model, the GRB phenomenon is a result of helium burning in degenerate conditions in a massive star (≳130 M _⊙), in which the thermal nuclear burning occurs in the deflagration regime and has a pulsating temporal pattern. The shock runs away from the burning (reaction) zone, which leads to the development of a coronal outflow (jet-like) structure. In our scenario the GRB observable prompt fast rise and decay part can be a result of photon propagation through the hot corona (Comptonization photosphere) of the star. On the other hand, the GRB afterglow is a cooling phase of the expanding and outflowing envelope. Presumably, the X-ray part of the GRB emergent spectrum is formed due to upscattering of soft photons of outer layers of the star off hot coronal electrons, and thus it should have a specific shape of the Comptonization spectrum.     

X-ray spectra produced by a hot plasma containing cold clouds

We compute the hard X-ray spectra from a hot plasma pervaded by small cold dense clouds. The main cooling mechanism of the plasma is Compton cooling by the soft thermal emission from the clouds. We compute numerically the equilibrium temperature of the plasma together with the escaping spectrum. The spectrum depends mainly on the amount of cold clouds filling the hot phase. The clouds covering factor is constrained to be low in order to produce spectra similar to those observed in Seyfert galaxies and X-ray binaries, implying that an external reflector is required in order to reproduce the full range of observed reflection amplitudes. We also derive analytical estimates for the X-ray spectral slope and reflection amplitude using an escape probability formalism.     

A unified picture for the γ-ray and prompt optical emissions of GRB 990123

The prompt optical emission of GRB 990123 was uncorrelated to the γ-ray light curve and exhibited temporal properties similar to those of the steeply decaying, early X-ray emission observed by Swift at the end of many bursts. These facts suggest that the optical counterpart of GRB 990123 was the large-angle emission released during (the second pulse of) the burst. If the optical and γ-ray emissions of GRB 990123 have, indeed, the same origin then their properties require that (i) the optical counterpart was synchrotron emission and γ-rays arose from inverse-Compton scatterings (the 'synchrotron self-Compton model'), (ii) the peak energy of the optical-synchrotron component was at ∼20 eV and (iii) the burst emission was produced by a relativistic outflow moving at Lorentz factor  ≳450  and at a radius  ≳10¹⁵  cm, which is comparable to the outflow deceleration radius. Because the spectrum of GRB 990123 was optically thin above 2 keV, the magnetic field behind the shock must have decayed on a length-scale of  ≲1  per cent  of the thickness of the shocked gas, which corresponds to  10⁶–10⁷  plasma skin depths. Consistency of the optical counterpart decay rate and its spectral slope (or that of the burst, if they represent different spectral components) with the expectations for the large-angle burst emission represents the most direct test of the unifying picture proposed here for GRB 990123.     

γ射线暴X射线耀发的研究进展

γ射线暴是宇宙中恒星尺度的最剧烈爆发现象。γ射线暴瞬时辐射结束后,进入余辉辐射阶段。X射线耀发是γ射线暴X射线辐射衰减过程中出现的短时标闪耀现象。X射线耀发的脉冲轮廓具有不对称性,其上升时标小于下降时标。在部分γ射线暴中,X射线耀发的亮度达到瞬时辐射的亮度。X射线耀发的持续时间与峰值时间具有线性关系。X射线耀发的光谱比X射线余辉的光谱硬。早期X射线耀发与晚期X射线耀发相比,其脉冲轮廓较窄,光谱较硬。X射线耀发产生的物理过程类似于γ射线暴瞬时辐射的物理过程。在火球(fireball)模型中,内部壳层之间发生碰撞,产生的内激波加速电子,电子的同步辐射产生X射线耀发。当火球扫过星际介质,外激波加速电子时,电子的同步辐射也可产生X射线耀发。在光球(photospere)模型中,能量耗散发生在光学厚的区域,热辐射的光谱峰值落在X射线能段附近,γ射线暴的喷流在光球半径处会产生X射线耀发。如果射线暴喷流由坡印亭能流主导,喷流就会与星际介质相互作用,磁场的不稳定性使磁场发生耗散,产生的能量形成X射线耀发。γ射线暴的喷流具有几何效应。一部分同步辐射可能发生在喷流辐射面的高纬度处。由于曲率效应(curvature effect),各向异性辐射与各向同性辐射相比,X射线耀发的峰值出现较晚。此外,在γ射线暴发生后,黑洞会间歇性地吸积外部介质。在吸积过程中,黑洞周围的磁场会调节吸积的速率和喷流中的能量,这是出现多个X射线耀发的原因。     

Detection of 33.8 Millisecond X-Ray Pulsations in SAX J0635+0533

Recently, detection of discrete features in the X-ray afterglow spectra of GRB 970508 and GRB 970828 was reported. The most natural interpretation of these features is that they are redshifted Fe K emission complexes. The identification of the line emission mechanism has drastic implications for the inferred mass of radiating material and hence the nature of the burst site. X-ray spectroscopy provides a direct observational constraint on these properties of gamma-ray bursters. We briefly discuss how these constraints arise in the context of an application to the spectrum of GRB 970508.     

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ulysses</Emphasis> Catalog of Solar Hard X-Ray Flares

Ulysses was launched in October 1990, and its Solar X-ray/Cosmic Gamma-Ray Burst Experiment (GRB) has provided more than 13 years of uninterrupted observations of solar X-ray flare activity. Due to the large variation of the relative solar latitude and longitude of the spacecraft orbit with respect to the Earth, the perspective of the GRB instrument often differed significantly from that of X-ray instruments on Earth-orbiting satellites. During extended periods the GRB experiment made direct observations of flares on the hidden face of the Sun, providing a unique record of events not visible to other instruments. The small detector area of GRB and its optimization for very high counting rates minimized the effects of pulse pile-up. We interpret the spectra, time histories, and occurrence distribution patterns of GRB data in terms of “thermal feed-through”, the confusion of thermal soft X-rays and non-thermal hard X-rays. This effect is a systematic problem for scintillation-counter spectrometers observing the solar hard X-ray spectrum. This paper provides a definitive catalog of the Ulysses X-ray flare observations and discusses various features of this unique database. For the equivalent GOES range X2 – X25, we find a power-law fit for the (differential) occurrence frequency at >25 keV with slope −1.61±0.04, with no evidence for a downturn at the highest event magnitudes (for the relatively small sample of such events available in this study). If the nine most intense events are excluded because of concerns about the effects of pulse pile-up, the slope steepens to −1.75±0.08.     

Optical observations of GRB 050401 afterglow : a case for double-jet model

The afterglow of GRB 050401 presents several novel and interesting features. (i) An initially faster decay in optical band than in X-rays. (ii) A break in the X-ray light curve after ∼0.06 d with an unusual slope after the break. (iii)The X-ray afterglow does not show any spectral evolution across the break while the R -band light curve does not show any break. We have modelled the observed multiband evolution of the afterglow of GRB 050401 as originating in a two-component jet, and interpreting the break in X-ray light curve as due to lateral expansion of a narrow collimated outflow which dominates the X-ray emission. The optical emission is attributed to a wider jet component. Our model reproduces all the observed features of multiband afterglow of GRB 050401. We present optical observations of GRB 050401 using the 104-cm Sampurnanand Telescope at the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital. Results of the analysis of multiband data are presented and compared with GRB 030329, the first reported case of double jet.     

X-ray spectra of accretion discs with dynamic coronae

We compute the X-ray spectra produced by non-static coronae atop accretion discs around black holes and neutron stars. The hot corona is radiatively coupled to the underlying disc (the reflector) and generates an X-ray spectrum which is sensitive to the bulk velocity of the coronal plasma, β = v / c . We show that an outflowing corona reproduces the hard-state spectrum of Cyg X-1 and similar objects. The dynamic model predicts a correlation between the observed amplitude of reflection R and the X-ray spectrum slope Γ since both strongly depend on β . A similar correlation was observed and its shape was well fitted by the dynamic model. The scattering of soft radiation in an outflowing corona can also account for the observed optical–UV polarization pattern in active galactic nuclei.     

Estimation of plasma parameters in an accretion column near the surface of accreting white dwarfs from their flux variability

We consider the behavior of matter in the accretion column that emerges under accretion in binary systems near the surface of a white dwarf. The plasma heated in a standing shock wave near the white dwarf surface efficiently radiates in the X-ray energy band. We suggest a method for estimating post-shock plasma parameters, such as the density, temperature, and height of the hot zone, from the power spectrum of its X-ray luminosity variability. The method is based on the fact that the flux variability amplitude for the hot region at various Fourier frequencies depends significantly on its cooling time, which is determined by the parameters of the hot zone in the accretion column. This allows the density and temperature of the hot matter to be estimated. We show that the characteristic cooling time can be efficiently determined from the break frequency in the power spectrum of the X-ray flux variability for accreting white dwarfs. The currently available X-ray instruments do not allow such measurements to be made because of an insufficient collecting area, but this will most likely become possible with new-generation large-area X-ray spectrometers.     

Constraints on the late X-ray radiation from the low-energy gamma-ray burst of December 3, 2003: INTEGRAL data

Comparison of the INTEGRAL upper limits on the hard X-ray flux before and after the low-energy GRB 031203 with the XMM measurements of the dust-scattered radiation at lower energies suggests that a significant fraction of the total burst energy could be released in the form of soft X-ray radiation at an early afterglow stage with a characteristic duration of ～100–1000 s. The overall time evolution of the afterglow from GRB 031203 may have not differed qualitatively from the behavior of standard (i.e., more intense) bursts studied by the SWIFT observatory. The available data also admit the possibility that the dust-scattered radiation was associated with an additional soft component in the spectrum of the gamma-ray burst itself.     

The Spin-X wide-field X-ray monitor of the Spectrum-X-Gamma astrophysical observatory

The Spin-X wide-field X-ray monitor of the Spectrum-X-Gamma astrophysical observatory, which is based on the principle of a coded-aperture telescope, is designed to detect and localize cosmic gammaray-burst (GRB) sources; to survey large areas of the sky in search of new transients; and to carry out long-term observations of bright Galactic sources, including X-ray bursters. The monitor consists of two noncoaxial identical modules, Spin-X1 and Spin-X2, which together cover 6.8% of the sky. The high-apogee, four-day orbit of the Spectrum-XG satellite allows the instrument to be in observing mode more than 50% of the time. Having simulated the rate of GRB detection by Spin-X, we show that extrapolating BATSE 50–300-keV average data on the number of GRBs, their duration, and their mean energy spectrum to the X-ray energy band leads to disagreement with the observed detection rate of GRBs in the X-ray band. The number of GRBs that can be detected and localized with an accuracy r≤3′ (3σ) (the error-circle radius) by Spin-X is estimated to be ten bursts per year. We present data on the Spin-X sensitivity achievable during long-term observations of persistent and transient sources and on its sensitivity to X-ray bursts from Galactic sources in the 2–30-keV energy band.     

Is GRB 100418A a Cosmic Twin of GRB 060614?

GRB 100418A is a long burst at z?=?0.624 without detection of associated supernova (SN). We present a detailed analysis on this event and discuss possible origins of its multi-wavelength emission. The temporal features of this event is similar to GRB 060614, a well-known nearby long GRB without SN association (possibly a Type I GRB), indicating that the two events may be cosmic twins. However, both the circum-burst medium density and the GRB classification based on the gamma-ray energy and spectrum suggest that GRB 100418A would be a Type II GRB. These results make a great puzzle on the progenitors of this kind of events, if they belong to the same population.     

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.     

Precursor activity in bright, long BATSE gamma-ray bursts

We study a sample of bright, long Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) gamma-ray burst (GRB) light curves in the 200 s before the detection of the GRB prompt emission. We find that in a sizable fraction of cases (∼20 per cent) there is evidence of emission above the background coming from the same direction as the GRB. This emission is characterized by a softer spectrum with respect to the main spectrum and contains a small fraction (0.1–1 per cent) of the total event counts. The precursors have typical delays of several tens of seconds extending (in few cases) up to 200 s (the limit of the investigated period). Their spectra are typically non-thermal power-law spectra, aside from a few cases. Such long delays and the non-thermal origin of their spectra are hard to reconcile with any model for the progenitor.     

Scientific prospects for spectroscopy of the gamma-ray burst prompt emission with SVOM

SVOM (Space-based multi-band astronomical Variable Objects Monitor) is a Sino-French space mission dedicated to the study of Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) in the next decade, capable to detect and localise the GRB emission, and to follow its evolution in the high-energy and X-ray domains, and in the visible and NIR bands. The satellite carries two wide-field high-energy instruments: a coded-mask gamma-ray imager (ECLAIRs; 4–150 keV), and a gamma-ray spectrometer (GRM; 15–5500 keV) that, together, will characterise the GRB prompt emission spectrum over a wide energy range. In this paper we describe the performances of the ECLAIRs and GRM system with different populations of GRBs from existing catalogues, from the classical ones to those with a possible thermal component superimposed to their non-thermal emission. The combination of ECLAIRs and the GRM will provide new insights also on other GRB properties, as for example the spectral characterisation of the subclass of short GRBs showing an extended emission after the initial spike.     

X-ray emission in wind instability simulations

We estimate X-ray emission by shock-heated regions in hot star winds, using temperature and density profiles calculated by time-dependent dynamical models; the shocks result from the instability of the line scattering force that drives the wind. For main sequence late O and early B stars, the model X-ray flux is generally well below the observed flux, though the shape of the model spectrum is approximately consistent with observations. For the early O supergiant Pup, the model spectral shape again agrees with observation; the total flux predicted by models is well above the observed flux, though significant uncertainties remain.     

Broadening of the thermal component of the prompt GRB emission due to rapid temperature evolution

The observations of the prompt emission of gamma ray bursts (GRB) by GLAST Burst Monitor (GBM), on board Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, suggest the presence of a significant thermal spectral component, whose origin is not well understood. Recently, it has been shown that for long duration GRBs, the spectral width as defined as the logarithm of the ratio of the energies at which the spectrum falls to half its peak value, lie in the range of 0.84–1.3 with a median value of 1.07. Thus, while most of the GRB spectra are found to be too narrow to be explained by synchrotron emission from an electron distribution, they are also significantly broader than a blackbody spectrum whose width should be 0.54. Here, we consider the possibility that an intrinsic thermal spectrum from a fire-ball like model, may be observed to be broadened if the system undergoes a rapid temperature evolution. We construct a toy-model to show that for bursts with durations in the range 5–70 s, the widths of their 1 second time-averaged spectra can be at the most ≲ 0.557. Thus, while rapid temperature variation can broaden the detected spectral shape, the observed median value of ∼ 1.07 requires that there must be significant sub-photospheric emission and/or an anisotropic explosion to explain the broadening for most GRB spectra.     

X-ray Emission from the Pre-Main Sequence Systems FU Orionis and T Tauri

We present new results from recent X-ray observations of the accreting pre-main sequence stars FU Orionis and T Tauri. XMM-Newton observations of the close binary system FU Ori reveal an unusual X-ray spectrum consisting of a cool moderately-absorbed component and a hot component viewed through much higher absorption. The two components thus originate in physically distinct regions. The double absorption spectrum is qualitatively different than observed in typical coronal sources and may signal either non-coronal emission or separate unresolved X-ray contributions from more than one star in the system. High-resolution Chandra imaging of the T Tau triple system shows that its X-ray emission is dominated by the optically-revealed northern component T Tau N. X-ray spectra of T Tau obtained with XMM can be acceptably fitted with a moderately absorbed two-temperature thermal plasma model. Its spectral properties are similar to those seen in coronal X-ray sources.     

Microwave emission from hot X-ray kernels in solar flares

Spectral and polarization characteristics of radio emission from hot X-ray kernels are considered. It is shown that the frequency spectrum of thermal cyclotron radio emission and bremsstrahlung from these regions may contain a set of lines at cyclotron harmonics and the maximum at plasma frequency. This makes possible the diagnostics of the X-ray kernel plasma and magnetic fields according to spectral and polarization observations of microwave radio emission in solar flares.