Population III Gamma Ray Bursts

TL;DR

This paper models gamma-ray bursts from the collapse of Population III stars, predicting multi-wavelength signals that could be detected by current telescopes, offering insights into the early universe's first luminous objects.

Contribution

It introduces a Poynting-dominated jet model for Population III star collapses, predicting observable high-redshift gamma-ray burst signatures across multiple wavelengths.

Findings

Predicted gamma-ray signals are detectable by Swift and Fermi.

Expected emissions include X-ray, GeV, and infrared components.

Model provides a way to study early universe black hole formation.

Abstract

We discuss a model of Poynting-dominated gamma-ray bursts from the collapse of very massive first generation (pop. III) stars. From redshifts of order 20, the resulting relativistic jets would radiate in the hard X-ray range around 50 keV and above, followed after roughly a day by an external shock component peaking around a few keV. On the same timescales an inverse Compton component around 75 GeV may be expected, as well as a possible infra-red flash. The fluences of these components would be above the threshold for detectors such as Swift and Fermi, providing potentially valuable information on the formation and properties of what may be the first luminous objects and their black holes in the high redshift Universe.