Polarization of prompt and afterglow emission of Gamma-Ray Bursts

Understand

Gamma-ray bursts and their afterglows are thought to be produced by an ultra-relativistic jet.

• One of the most important open questions is the outflow composition: the energy may be carried out from the central source either as kinetic energy (of baryons and/or pairs), or in electromagnetic form (Poynting flux).
• While the total observable flux may be indistinguishable in both cases, its polarization properties are expected to differ markedly.
• The prompt emission and afterglow polarization are also a powerful diagnostic of the jet geometry.