Gamma-Ray Burst Progenitors

Abstract

We review our current understanding of the progenitors of both long and short duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Constraints can be derived from multiple directions, and we use three distinct strands; (i) direct observations of GRBs and their host galaxies, (ii) parameters derived from modelling, both via population synthesis and direct numerical simulation and (iii) our understanding of plausible analog progenitor systems observed in the local Universe. From these joint constraints, we describe the likely routes that can drive massive stars to the creation of long GRBs, and our best estimates of the scenarios that can create compact object binaries which will ultimately form short GRBs, as well as the associated rates of both long and short GRBs. We further discuss how different the progenitors may be in the case of black hole engine or millisecond-magnetar models for the production of GRBs, and how central engines may provide a unifying theme between many classes of extremely luminous transient, from luminous and super-luminous supernovae to long and short GRBs.

The evolution of gamma-ray burst jet opening angle through cosmic time

“…This is addressed in Woosley & Heger (2006), who assert about 1% of stars can achieve the conditions needed to retain enough angular momentum to launch a GRB (keep in mind that their models are one dimensional and asymmetric mass loss may help, allowing for less angular momentum loss). However, this process needs to occur during the early stages of a star and -again -is more efficient for lower metallicity stars (further discussion of these issues can also be found in section 5.2 of Levan et al (2016)).…”

“…As with single massive star progenitors, binary lGRB progenitors need to strip the hydrogen envelope and retain enough mass and angular momentum to allow for GRB jet launch. The advantage to binary progenitors is that the conditions of hydrogen envelope stripping and high angular momentum are in principle readily met, due to the interaction with the companion star (Belczynski et al 2002;Fryer & Heger 2005;Kinugawa & Asano 2017;Davies et al 2007;Barkov & Komissarov 2010;de Mink et al 2013;Levan et al 2016).…”

“…Although we have learned much about gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) over the last 20 years, there are still a number of open questions related to the nature of their underlying progenitor systems. It is well established that they are associated with the deaths of massive stars and/or merging binary systems (for reviews summarizing the arguments and evidence for this, see Piran (2004); Zhang & Mészáros (2004); Mészáros (2006); Lee & Ramirez-Ruiz (2007); Gehrels et al (2009);Berger (2014); D'Avanzo (2015); Levan et al (2016)). However, it is also clear that very special conditions are required to successfully launch a GRB jet.…”

“…There are many proposed systems capable of producing a GRB and in reality, probably several (or all) of these systems contribute Contact e-mail: lloyd-ronning@lanl.gov to the total GRB population. Levan et al (2016) summarize different progenitor systems for lGRBs, including various single star and binary formation channels, the rates of these different formation channels, and other important considerations (e.g. host galaxy properties, etc.).…”

Spatial distribution of radionuclides in 3D models of SN 1987A and Cas A

“…This clearly separates such normal SNe from the significantly more powerful but much rarer hypernovae (with a rate of less than roughly one out of thousand core-collapse events), whose energies and explosion properties point to another mechanism, probably invoking the formation of BHs or magnetars and of jet-driven outflows caused by extreme amplification of magnetic fields during the collapse of rapidly rotating progenitors (see, e.g., Woosley & Bloom (2006)). The latter are the final outcome of very special and uncommon single and binary star evolution scenarios of massive stars (e.g., Levan et al (2016)). …”