119308692
The updated luminosity correlations of gamma-ray bursts and cosmological implications
Several interesting luminosity correlations among gamma-ray burst (GRB) variables have been recently discussed extensively. In this paper, we derive the six luminosity correlations ($\tlag-L$, $V-L$, $\epkk-L$, $\epkk-E_\gamma$, $\trt-L$, $\epkk-E_{\gamma, \mathrm{iso}}$) from the light curves and spectra of the latest 116 long GRBs, including the time lag ($\tlag$) between low and high photon energy light curves, the variability ($V$) of the light curve, the peak energy of the spectrum ($\epkk$), and the minimum rise time ($\trt$) of the peaks. We find that the intrinsic scatter of the $V-L$ correlation is too large and there seems no inherent correlation between the two parameters using the latest GRB data. The other five correlations indeed exist when the sample is enlarged. The $\epkk-E_\gamma$ correlation has a significantly lower intrinsic scatter compared to the other correlations. We divide the full data into four redshift bins when testing possible evolution of the correlations with redshift. We find no statistically significant evidence for the redshift evolution of the luminosity correlations. To avoid the circularity problem when constraining the cosmological parameters, we simultaneously minimize $\chi^2$ with respect to both correlation parameters $a$, $b$ and the cosmological parameters using the maximum likelihood method. For the flat $\Lambda$CDM, the best fit is $\omm=0.31^{+0.13}_{-0.10}$. We also constrain the possible evolution of the equation of state (EOS) of the dark energy using the GRBs together with the Union2 compilation of SNe Ia and the $H(z)$ data. The result is consistent with the cosmological constant at $2 \sigma$ confidence level and mainly due to the GRB data, the dark energy EOS shows slight deviation from -1 at $z \geq0.5$ as was persistently presented with many previous data sets.
119245048
An Evolving Stellar Initial Mass Function and the Gamma-ray Burst Redshift Distribution
Recent studies suggest that Swift gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) may not trace an ordinary star formation history (SFH). Here, we show that the GRB rate turns out to be consistent with the SFH with an evolving stellar initial mass function (IMF). We first show that the latest Swift sample of GRBs reveals an increasing evolution in the GRB rate relative to the ordinary star formation rate at high redshifts. We then assume only massive stars with masses greater than the critical value to produce GRBs and use an evolving stellar IMF suggested by Dave to fit the latest GRB redshift distribution. This evolving IMF would increase the relative number of massive stars, which could lead to more GRB explosions at high redshifts. We find that the evolving IMF can well reproduce the observed redshift distribution of Swift GRBs.
18159661
Constraining Dark Energy and Cosmological Transition Redshift with Type Ia Supernovae
The property of dark energy and the physical reason for the acceleration of the present universe are two of the most difficult problems in modern cosmology. The dark energy contributes about two-thirds of the critical density of the present universe from the observations of type-Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) and anisotropy of cosmic microwave background (CMB). The SN Ia observations also suggest that the universe expanded from a deceleration to an acceleration phase at some redshift, implying the existence of a nearly uniform component of dark energy with negative pressure. We use the ``Gold'' sample containing 157 SNe Ia and two recent well-measured additions, SNe Ia 1994ae and 1998aq to explore the properties of dark energy and the transition redshift. For a flat universe with the cosmological constant, we measure Ω M = 0.28 −0.05 +0.04 , which is consistent with Riess et al. The transition redshift is z T = 0.60 −0.08 +0.06 . We also discuss several dark energy models that define w ( z ) of the parameterized equation of state of dark energy including one parameter and two parameters ( w ( z ) being the ratio of the pressure to energy density). Our calculations show that the accurately calculated transition redshift varies from z T = 0.29 −0.06 +0.07 to z T = 0.60 −0.08 +0.06 across these models. We also calculate the minimum redshift z c at which the current observations need the universe to accelerate.
124365356
Current constraints on early dark energy and growth index using latest observations
Aims. In this paper we study observational constraints on early dark energy model proposed by Doran & Robbers and growth index using the latest Union2 type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), the baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO) in the large-scale correlation function of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and Two-degree Field Galaxy Redshift Survey, cosmic microwave background (CMB) from the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe seven-year data, the linear growth factors data and gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Methods. By using the χ 2 statics method, we constrain the early dark energy model and growth factor from the above datasets. When including the GRB data, we use the cosmographic parameters to calibrate the GRB luminosity relations using SNe Ia. Results. At 2σ confidence level, we find that the fractional dark energy density at early times is Ω e < 0.05 using SNe Ia, CMB and BAO. When we include high-redshift probes, such as measurements of the linear growth factors and GRBs, the constraint is tightened considerably and becomes Ω e < 0.03 at 2σ confidence level. We also discuss the growth rate index γ .W e f indγ = 0.661 +0.302 −0.203 (1σ) using the SNe Ia, CMB, BAO and linear growth factor data. After including high-redshift GRB data, the growth index is γ = 0.653 +0.372 −0.363 .
118854953
High-redshift star formation rate up to z~8.3 derived from gamma-ray bursts and influence of background cosmology
The high-redshift star formation rate (SFR) is difficult to measure directly even by modern approaches. Long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) can be detected to the edge of the visible universe because of their high luminosities. The collapsar model of long GRBs indicates that they may trace the star formation history. So, long GRBs may be a useful tool of measuring the high-redshift SFR. Observations show that long GRBs prefer to form in a low-metallicity environment. We study the high-redshift SFR up to z∼ 8.3 considering the Swift GRBs tracing the star formation history and the cosmic metallicity evolution in different background cosmological models including Λ cold dark matter (ΛCDM), quintessence, quintessence with a time-varying equation of state and brane-world model. We use latest Swift GRBs including two highest-z GRBs, GRB 080913 at z= 6.7 and GRB 090423 at z= 8.3. We find that the SFR at z > 4 shows a steep decay with a slope of ∼−5.0 in ΛCDM. In the other three models, the high-redshift SFR is slightly different from ΛCDM model and also shows a steep decay.
44994799
Internal shock model for the X-ray flares of Swift J1644+57
Swift J1644+57 is an unusual transient event, likely powered by the tidal disruption of a star by a massive black hole. Multiple short time-scale X-ray flares were seen over a span of several days. We propose that these flares could be produced by internal shocks. In the internal shock model, the forward and reverse shocks are produced by collisions between relativistic shells ejected from a central engine. The synchrotron emission from the forward and reverse shocks could dominate in two quite different energy bands; under some conditions, the relativistic reverse shock dominates the X-ray emission and the Newtonian forward shock dominates the infrared and optical emission. We show that the spectral energy distribution of Swift J1644+57 could be explained by an internal shock model.
18621135
Localization of RF Breakdowns in a Standing Wave Cavity
At SLAC, a 5-cell, normal-conducting, L-band (1.3 GHz), standing-wave (SW) cavity was built as a prototype positron capture accelerator for the ILC. The structure met the ILC gradient goal but required extensive rf processing. When rf breakdowns occurred, a large variation was observed in the decay rate of the stored energy in the cavity after the input power was shut off. It appeared that the breakdowns were isolating sections of the cavity, and that the trapped energy in those sections was then partitioned among its natural modes, producing a distinct beating pattern during the decay. To explore this phenomenon further, an equivalent circuit model of cavity was created that reproduces well its normal operating characteristics. The model was then used to compute the spectra of trapped energy for different numbers of isolated cells. The resulting modal patterns agree well with those of the breakdown data, and thus such a comparison appears to provide a means of identifying the irises on which the breakdowns occurred.
118676242
Gravitational effects of condensate dark matter on compact stellar objects
We study the gravitational effect of non-self-annihilating dark matter on compact stellar objects. The self-interaction of condensate dark matter can give high accretion rate of dark matter onto stars. Phase transition to condensation state takes place when the dark matter density exceeds the critical value. A compact degenerate dark matter core is developed and alter the structure and stability of the stellar objects. Condensate dark matter admixed neutron stars is studied through the two-fluid TOV equation. The existence of condensate dark matter deforms the mass-radius relation of neutron stars and lower their maximum baryonic masses and radii. The possible effects on the Gamma-ray Burst rate in high redshift are discussed.
14838430
Progress in L-Band Power Distribution System R&D at SLAC
We report on the L-band RF power distribution system (PDS) developed at SLAC for Fermilab's NML superconducting test accelerator facility. The makeup of the system, which allows tailoring of the power distribution to cavities by pairs, is briefly described. Cold test measurements of the system and the results of high power processing are presented. We also investigate the feasibility of eliminating the expensive, lossy circulators from the PDS by pair-feeding cavities through custom 3-dB hybrids. A computational model is used to simulate the impact on cavity field stability due to the reduced cavity-to-cavity isolation.
117095291
Preparation of a silicon micro-strip nuclear radiation detector by a two-step annealing process
The annealing process for boron implantation is a crucial step during large size nuclear radiation detector fabrication. It can reduce the lattice defects and the projection straggling. A two-step annealing process for boron implantation was developed instead of a one-step annealing process, and the reverse body resistance of a silicon micro-strip detector was significantly increased, which means that the performance of the detector was improved.
17589853
AMiBA Observations, Data Analysis and Results for Sunyaev-Zel'dovich Effects
We present observations, analysis and results for the first-year operation of AMiBA, an interferometric experiment designed to study cosmology via the measurement of Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). AMiBA is the first CMB interferometer operating at 3 mm to have reported successful results, currently with seven close-packed antennas of 60-cm diameter giving a synthesized resolution of around 6'. During 2007 AMiBA detected the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effects (SZE) of six galaxy clusters at redshift 0.091 <= z <= 0.322. An observing strategy with on-off-source switching is used to minimize the effects from electronic offset and ground pickup. Planets were used to test the observational capability of AMiBA and to calibrate the conversion from correlator time-lag data to visibilities. The detailed formalism for data analysis is given. We summarize our early tests including observations of planets and quasars, and present images, visibility profiles, the estimated central coordinates, sizes, and SZE amplitudes of the galaxy clusters. Science results are summarized. We also discuss possible systematic effects in the results.