A theoretical model of an off-axis GRB jet

TL;DR

This paper presents an analytical model for off-axis GRB afterglows interacting with stratified media, fitting observational data and predicting the density profile of the surrounding environment.

Contribution

It introduces a new analytical synchrotron forward-shock model for off-axis GRB jets in stratified media, validated with observational data.

Findings

The model successfully fits the X-ray spectrum of GRB afterglow SN 2020bvc.

It predicts a stratification parameter k=1.5 for the circumburst medium.

The model enhances understanding of off-axis GRB afterglow evolution.

Abstract

In light of the most recent observations of late afterglows produced by the merger of compact objects or by the core-collapse of massive dying stars, we research the evolution of the afterglow produced by an off-axis top-hat jet and its interaction with a surrounding medium. The medium is parametrized by a power law distribution of the form $n(r)\propto r^{-k}$ is the stratification parameter and contains the development when the surrounding density is constant ($k=0$) or wind-like ($k=2$). We develop an analytical synchrotron forward-shock model when the outflow is viewed off-axis, and it is decelerated by a stratified medium. Using the X-ray data points collected by a large campaign of orbiting satellites and ground telescopes, we have managed to apply our model and fit the X-ray spectrum of the GRB afterglow associated to SN 2020bvc with conventional parameters. Our model predicts that its circumburst medium is parametrized by a power law with stratification parameter $k=1.5$.