Single and binary stellar progenitors of long-duration gamma-ray bursts

TL;DR

This review discusses theories and models for the progenitors of long-duration gamma-ray bursts, focusing on the collapsar and magnetar scenarios, and explores the evolutionary paths leading to such progenitors.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of current progenitor models, including the role of chemically homogeneous evolution and TWUIN stars, highlighting future research directions.

Findings

Progenitors are envelope-free, rapidly rotating massive stars with collapsing iron cores.

Chemically homogeneous evolution can produce TWUIN stars as GRB progenitors.

Multiple evolutionary outcomes, including supernovae and gravitational waves, are associated with these progenitors.

Abstract

This review describes the most common theories behind long-duration gamma-ray burst progenitors. I discuss two astrophysical scenarios: the collapsar and the magnetar models. According to their requirements, the progenitor should be an envelope-free massive star with a fast rotating, collapsing iron core. Such an object, called a TWUIN star, may be produced by chemically homogeneous evolution either from a massive single star or a massive binary system. Various outcomes of this evolutionary path (e.g. supernova explosions and gravitational wave production) are also mentioned, and directions for future research are suggested. In the era of multi-messenger astronomy, my hope is to present a timely overview on how stellar astrophysicists are searching for progenitor models of long-duration gamma-ray bursts, and what they have found so far.