Measurement methods for gamma-ray bursts redshifts

Abstract

In the era of multi-messenger astronomy, gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) with known redshifts, especially high-redshift GRBs, are a powerful tool for studying the structure and evolution of the early Universe. We review the background, the history, and the application of measurement methods of GRB redshifts in astronomy. Based on different observation targets, two measurement methods are mainly introduced. One is on GRB afterglow, the other is on GRB host galaxy. There are various processing methods belonging to measurement methods based on afterglow, including spectral measurement method of afterglow and afterglow spectral energy distribution fitting method with improved methods. There are also numerous measurement methods based on host galaxy, such as spectral measurement method of host galaxy, template matching method of host galaxy, some automatic spectroscopic redshift measurement methods, and machine learning methods. We subsequently introduce the principles, effects, and performance of these methods. We enumerate several detection and measurement instruments, which have been used in observation. The characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, and applicability of the GRB redshift measurement methods are summarized and analyzed. Furthermore, we provide a data set of 611 GRBs with measured redshift. The data set has been collected since 1997. Analysis and statistics are presented based on this data set. We summarize the characteristics of GRBs such as location, time, and accuracy. Finally, we introduce Space-based multi-band astronomical Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM) mission dedicated to searching high redshift GRBs. We also introduce the application prospect of various redshift measurement methods in SVOM mission.