Modeling the high-energy emission in GRB 110721A and implications on the early multiwavelength and polarimetric observations

TL;DR

This paper models the high-energy emission of GRB 110721A, linking early afterglow external shocks to its extreme peak energy, polarization, and thermal components, providing insights into multiwavelength and polarimetric observations.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed model of the early afterglow external shocks for GRB 110721A, connecting high-energy emission features with polarization and thermal components.

Findings

LAT light curve modeled with external shocks

External shocks explain the extreme peak energy

Implications for polarization and thermal emission

Abstract

GRB 110721A was detected by the Gamma-ray Burst Monitor and the Large Area Telescope (LAT) onboard the Fermi satellite and the Gamma-ray Burst Polarimeter onboard the IKAROS solar mission. Previous analysis done of this burst showed: i) a linear polarization signal with position angle stable ($\phi_p= 160^\circ\pm11$) and high degree of $\Pi=84^{+16}_{-28}$, ii) an extreme peak energy of a record-breaking at 15$\pm$2 MeV, and iii) a subdominant prompt thermal component observed right after the onset of this burst. In this paper, the LAT data around the reported position of GRB 110721A are analysed with the most recent software and then, the LAT light curve above 100 MeV was obtained. The LAT light curve is modelled in terms of adiabatic early-afterglow external shocks when the outflow propagates into a stellar wind. Additionally, we discuss the possible origins and also study the implications of the early-afterglow external shocks on the extreme peak energy observed at 15$\pm$2 MeV, the polarization observations and the subdominant prompt thermal component.