Spectropolarimetry of Wolf-Rayet Stars in the Magellanic Clouds: Constraining the Progenitors of Gamma-ray Bursts

TL;DR

This study uses spectropolarimetry to investigate Wolf-Rayet stars in the Magellanic Clouds, aiming to identify physical traits that could confirm their role as progenitors of gamma-ray bursts, especially in low metallicity environments.

Contribution

First spectropolarimetric survey of Wolf-Rayet stars in the Magellanic Clouds targeting gamma-ray burst progenitor criteria.

Findings

Initial results suggest asymmetry in some Wolf-Rayet stars.

Data supports the link between rapid rotation and potential GRB progenitors.

Outlook for future polarisation studies with larger telescopes.

Abstract

Wolf-Rayet stars have been identified as objects in their final phase of massive star evolution. It has been suggested that Wolf-Rayet stars are the progenitors of long-duration gamma ray bursts in low metallicity environments. However, this deduction has yet to be proven. Here we report on our initial results from a VLT/FORS linear spectropolarimetry survey of Wolf-Rayet stars in the Magellanic Clouds, which is intended to constrain the physical criteria - such as weaker stellar winds, rapid rotation, and associated asymmetry - of the collapsar model. Finally, we provide an outlook for polarisation studies with an extremely large telescope.