arXiv subjects

Nissim Fraija

Publications and source records attributed to Nissim Fraija.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

GRB~250704B/EP250704a a Short Gamma-Ray Burst Powered by a Magnetar

GRB~250704B/EP250704a, identified as a short gamma-ray burst (sGRB), exhibited prolonged X-ray emission following the prompt phase and, in optical and infrared (IR) bands, an unusual one-day plateau succeeded by a rapid decline. This sGRB was observed by multiple satellites and ground-based observatories across the electromagnetic spectrum. This study presents temporal and spectral analyses from radio to gamma-ray frequencies, spanning several observation periods beginning after the trigger and continuing for nearly 2 days. The results of the temporal and spectral analyses of the prompt episode, the extended X-ray component, and the afterglow phase are consistent with a millisecond magnetar undergoing accretion. The long-lasting X-ray emission is attributed to the internal energy dissipation of the magnetar spin-down power, governed by the magnetization parameter; the extended optical/IR plateau to synchrotron afterglow emission with energy injection; and the steep decay to changes in microphysical parameters during the post-jet break phase. The X-ray observations are consistent with the superposition of spin-down luminosity and synchrotron afterglow scenario. These findings suggest that the compact-object remnant is most likely a long-lived magnetar.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

Deep Newtonian Afterglows: Theoretical Light Curves for Quasi-spherical Outflows

We investigate late-time gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglows produced by quasi-spherical outflows propagating into a stratified circumburst medium during the deep Newtonian phase. Sub-relativistic ejecta generated in compact binary mergers or core-collapse explosions naturally develop velocity structures, while additional energy injection from a long-lived central engine, through spin-down luminosity and/or fallback accretion, can substantially modify the afterglow evolution. We develop an analytical framework for synchrotron emission from decelerated ejecta components undergoing energy injection in a stratified environment. The model provides multiwavelength light curves and corresponding closure relations for the deep Newtonian regime. We apply this framework to the late-time multiwavelength observations of GRB 171205A. In addition, we constrain the physical properties of quasi-spherical outflows using observations of short GRBs associated with kilonova candidates, together with long-term radio upper limits obtained years after the burst in a broader GRB sample. Our results show that late-time observations can place meaningful constraints on the dynamics, energetics, and energy-injection history of sub-relativistic quasi-spherical outflows from GRB progenitors.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

Long-Duration GRB 211211A: Internal Energy Dissipation Driven by a Long-Lived Magnetar

The most promising candidate for short-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) is the merger of two neutron stars (NSs), which produces kilonovae (KNe) in the aftermath. This merging can result in a fast-spinning, highly magnetic NS, known as a millisecond magnetar, whose accretion processes can explain different phases in GRBs. The identification of a KN associated with the atypical long-duration GRB 211211A contradicted the classification schemes of the GRB progenitors. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of gamma- and X-ray observations, focusing on modeling X-ray data from a long-lived magnetar with two distinct fallback accretion rates ($\dot{M}\propto t^0$ and $\propto t^{\frac12}$) during the initial phase. The internal energy dissipation of the magnetar spin-down power, through the magnetization parameter, accounts for the long duration of the prompt gamma-ray episode observed in GRB 211211A. Furthermore, we provide a satisfactory explanation for the precursor and extended emissions following the prompt episode within the magnetar model with two fallback accretion rates. Although these accretion rates explain different characteristics, the model that incorporates a variable accretion rate offers a more accurate description. The current scenario for the GRB 211211A observations aligns with a compact binary merger that produces a long-lived magnetar instead of an immediate black hole.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

Inverse Compton scattering occurring in a reverse-shock scenario involving a kilonova: A channel of TeV gamma-ray photons

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are among the most luminous transients in the Universe and constitute prime targets for multimessenger studies, particularly in connection with gravitational-wave events. The detection of very-high-energy (TeV) photons from GRBs would provide valuable constraints on the physical conditions in the outflow, including the bulk Lorentz factor, circumburst density, radiation processes, and microphysical parameters. The possible detection of TeV emission temporally associated with an optical-infrared kilonova (KN), as suggested for GRB 160821B, presents a challenge to standard synchrotron self-Compton scenarios. In this work, we explore an alternative mechanism in which TeV photons are produced during the afterglow phase via external inverse Compton (EIC) scattering. In this scenario, electrons accelerated in the reverse shock upscatter seed photons originating from the KN. We derive the corresponding EIC light curves and spectra for a reverse shock evolving in the thin-shell regime within a constant-density medium, and apply the model to GRB 160821B. We further constrain the parameter space for TeV detectability by incorporating the high KN luminosity observed in AT2017gfo, as well as flux upper limits reported by H.E.S.S. and HAWC. We find that TeV emission is more likely under conditions of very low magnetic energy fraction, $ε_{\rm B_r} \lesssim 10^{-6}$, combined with a bright KN and relatively low redshift. This mechanism predicts TeV photons on timescales of hours to a few days after the burst.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

Gamma-Ray Bursts as an Independent High-Redshift Probe of Dark Energy

Testing the $Λ$CDM model requires cosmological probes spanning the wide redshift interval between Type Ia Supernovae (SNe Ia, $z\lesssim2.9$) and the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB, $z\approx1100$). Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs), observed up to redshift $z=9.2$, offer the opportunity to explore this regime. Here, we investigate how many GRBs are needed to become a useful cosmological probe capable of independently testing deviations from $Λ$CDM suggested by the recent DESI BAO observations. We develop forecasts based on the two-dimensional X-ray and optical Dainotti relations, between the luminosity at the end of the plateau phase and its rest-frame duration. Using simulated GRB samples constructed from the observed population, we evaluate the constraining power of GRBs on cosmological parameters within the $w$CDM and $w_0w_a$CDM models, both independently and in combination with CMB observations. Our results show that GRB samples containing several tens to hundreds of well-characterized plateau can already approach the precision currently achieved by CMB measurements on the Dark Energy (DE) equation-of-state parameter $w$. Particularly, a sample of $\sim66$ optical GRBs can reach a precision $σ_w \approx 0.47$, comparable to that obtained from Planck within the $w$CDM framework. Such sample sizes are already attainable through Machine Learning techniques that double the number of GRBs using inferred redshifts. These forecasts indicate that future GRB observations, when combined with next-generation transient missions and improved statistical techniques, will provide an independent high-redshift probe of cosmic expansion and will play an important role in testing the robustness of potential Dynamical DE signals suggested by other cosmological datasets.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

Variation of Microphysical Parameters in Reverse-shock Scenario

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), among the most compelling astrophysical phenomena, are potential candidates for exploring the evolution of energy distribution among magnetic fields and particles through multiwavelength observations. The fraction of energy transferred between particles and the magnetic field is governed by microphysical parameters, typically assumed to be constant during relativistic shocks but may in fact vary with time. In this work, we derive the light curves and closure relations (CRs) of the synchrotron-self Compton (SSC) process from the external reverse shock (RS) with variations of microphysical parameters in a homogeneous and stellar-wind medium. We consider the evolution of the RS in the thick- and thin-shell regimes. We demonstrate that, depending on the microphysical parameters, this process can mimic plateau phases and produce temporal decay indices steeper than those predicted by high-latitude emission alone. The current model is employed to examine the evolution of the spectral and temporal indices of GRBs reported in the Second Fermi-LAT Gamma-ray Burst Catalog (2FLGC) and bursts detected at very high energies, using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulations.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Redshift Classification of Optical Gamma-Ray Bursts using Supervised Learning

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are among the most luminous explosions in the Universe and serve as powerful probes of the early cosmos. However, the rapid fading of their afterglows and the scarcity of spectroscopic measurements make photometric classification crucial for timely high-redshift identification. We present an ensemble machine learning framework for redshift classification of GRBs based solely on their optical plateau and prompt emission properties. Our dataset comprises 171 long GRBs observed by the Swift UVOT and more than 450 ground-based telescopes. The analysis pipeline integrates robust statistical techniques, including M-estimator outlier rejection, multivariate imputation using Multiple Imputation by Chained Equations, and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator feature selection, followed by a SuperLearner ensemble combining parametric, semi-parametric, and non-parametric algorithms. The optimal model, trained on raw optical data with outlier removal at a redshift threshold of z equals 2.0, achieves a true positive rate of 74 percent and an area under the curve of 0.84, maintaining balanced generalization between training and test sets. At higher thresholds, such as z equals 3.0, the classifier sustains strong discriminative power with an area under the curve of 0.88. Validation on an independent GRB sample yields 97 percent overall accuracy, perfect specificity, and an ensemble area under the curve of 0.93. Compared to previous prompt- and X-ray-based classifiers, our optical framework offers enhanced sensitivity to high-redshift events, improved robustness against data incompleteness, and greater applicability to ground-based follow-up. We also publicly release a web application that enables real-time redshift classification, facilitating rapid identification of candidate high-redshift GRBs for cosmological studies.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Hadronic Clues in Quasars Caught by Fermi-LAT

This work explores whether hadronic processes could be responsible for the high-energy emission seen in quasars identified by the Large Area Telescope (LAT) instrument aboard the Fermi satellite. In contrast to purely leptonic models, this work investigates whether hadronic mechanisms can explain the observed gamma-ray spectra by analyzing the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of a chosen sample of FSRQs (Flat-Spectrum Radio Quasars). By incorporating both hadronic and leptonic components into their multi-wavelength modeling, we evaluate the model's feasibility to simultaneously describe the data collected by Fermi-LAT and neutrinos detected by IceCube. According to the results, a hadronic contribution would be required to explain the SED of quasars detected by Fermi-LAT. However, their contribution to the neutrino flux detected by IceCube remains understated.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Late-afterglow Emission from a Quasi-spherical Outflow in a stratified environment

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are cosmic events occurring at large distances beyond our galaxy. They provide a unique opportunity to study electromagnetic patterns not seen elsewhere. When the collimated GRB outflow interacts with the outer layers of a star or the wind generated by a binary neutron star merger, it releases energy, forming a quasi-spherical outflow around it. This broad outflow begins to radiate once it has transferred enough energy to the surrounding medium. We have developed a new analytical model that describes the synchrotron afterglow scenario of the quasi-spherical outflow, including factors such as stratified density, self-absorption regime, and the fraction of electrons accelerated by the shock front. We also successfully describe the multiwavelength observations of a sample of llGRB afterglows (GRB 980425, 031203, 060218, 100316D, 130603B, 150101B and 171205A) that exhibited a late component, analyzed in both stellar wind and constant-density environments. Our analysis shows that a constant-density environment is favored. Additionally, we consider the multiwavelength upper limits of the short bursts reported in the Swift-BAT database.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Closure Relations of Synchrotron Self-Compton from Reverse shock and Fermi-LAT GRBs

Synchrotron radiation from the reverse- and forward-shock regions typically describes the evolution of temporal and spectral features given by the closure relations (CRs) during the late and long-/short-lasting emission in the afterglow phase of Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Although synchrotron photons are restricted to keV and a few MeV energies, the synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) mechanism can disperse them above hundreds of MeV energies. We present the CRs of the SSC process radiated from the reverse-shock region for the case of a thick and thin shell, considering that the reverse shock lies in the adiabatic regime and evolves in an environment with a homogeneous and stratified medium. We analyze these CRs with the spectral and temporal characteristics of the bursts described in the second \textit{Fermi}-LAT GRB catalog (2FLGC) and found that i) the thin shell case is preferred over a thick shell and a constant-density medium over a stellar-wind environment, ii) bursts with an atypical and hard spectral index could be successfully described by this scenario in different cooling conditions, iii) the early optical flash and GeV emission exhibited in GRB 160625B and 180720B were generated from the same accelerated region and electron population, concluding that LAT emission originated during the early afterglow, and iv) the maximum synchrotron energy radiated from the reverse-shock scenario could explain only a few photons with the exception of a pair of bursts, so that scattered photons by the SSC process must be required.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Magnetic Burial in Millisecond Magnetars and Late GRB Afterglow Signatures

Millisecond magnetars, one of the potential candidates for the central engine of Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), can experience significant magnetic field enhancement shortly after their formation. In some cases, this evolution is further influenced by the accretion of stellar debris, which modifies the dipole magnetic field strength. During a hypercritical accretion phase that lasts seconds or longer after the progenitor explosion, a thin crust may form, submerging the magnetic field (the so-called magnetic burial scenario). Once hypercritical accretion ceases, the buried field can diffuse back through the crust, delaying the external dipole's reactivation. On the other hand, observations have shown that relativistic outflows ejected by these objects and decelerated by the circumburst environment cause a late and temporary emission known as afterglow. This work investigates how the submergence and subsequent reemergence of the magnetar magnetic field, on a few years timescales, affect the GRB afterglow dynamics. Specifically, we apply this phenomenological scenario to the late-time X-ray excess observed approximately three years post-burst in GW170817/GRB 170817A, exploring how the evolving magnetic field strength may contribute to this emission. Our modelling of GRB 170817A indicates that $\gtrsim90$ percent of the external dipole flux was initially buried, re-emerging on a timescale $τ_{B}=3-40$ yr and restoring a surface field $B\simeq(2-5)\times10^{15}\,$G; the late-time X-ray brightening is far better reproduced by this scenario than by models without burial.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Polarization Measurements as a Probe of Axion-Photon Coupling: a Study of GRB 221009A

Axion Like Particles (ALPs) can be produced in Gamma Ray Bursts, altering the polarization of the electromagnetic emission in these events. For the first time, we derive bounds on the axion-photon coupling from polarization measurements of GRB 221009A, performing a full calculation of the Stokes parameters, as it is typically done in the astrophysics community. Within astrophysical uncertainties, our limits on the axion-photon coupling are competitive with complementary probes in the axion mass range $10^{-9}$ eV $\lesssim m_a \lesssim 10^{-8}$ eV, further allowing to probe motivated parameter space of ALP dark matter.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

The multiwavelength correlations quest for central engines of GRB plateaus: magnetar vs black hole spin-down

This manuscript presents a multilevel analysis of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). We focus on the plateau phase, which is often observed in the light curves (LCs) of GRBs. We discuss its observational properties and then thoroughly examine possible theoretical models to explain them. Inspired by the limitations of many currently known models, we introduce a novel scenario of an LC powered by the kinetic energy of a rotating black hole (BH). We investigate observational correlations between the properties of GRBs across the gamma, X-ray, and optical bands during the prompt and plateau phases of their LCs. Our analysis includes all GRBs with known redshifts detected by the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory (Swift) and the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (Fermi), as well as ground-based optical telescopes. We identify a tight correlation with the R^2 coefficient of ~0.89 for the three-dimensional Dainotti relation between the luminosity at the end of the plateau, its duration measured by Swift, and the peak luminosity measured by Fermi in the 10-1000 keV band. When accounting for redshift evolution, we achieve very small intrinsic scatter $σ_{int}=0.25\pm0.04$ (~43% reduction compared to the previous results). Additionally, we explore correlations involving the optical luminosity at the end of the plateau, yielding promising results. We investigate the clustering of different classes of GRBs in the investigated parameter space and discuss its impact on the aforementioned correlations as well as $E_{iso}$-$E^*_{peak}$ correlation. Notably, we demonstrate how to use the correlations as a powerful class discriminator. Finally, we discuss the theory supporting the evidence of the plateau emission. We present a new paradigm for the GRB plateau: energy extraction from a quickly rotating black hole (BH) via spin-down by a magnetically arrested disk (MAD). The abstract is continued in the comments.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

Synchrotron self-Compton in a radiative-adiabatic fireball scenario: Modelling the multiwavelength observations in some Fermi/LAT bursts

Energetic GeV photons expected from the closest and the most energetic Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) provide an unique opportunity to study the very-high-energy emission as well as the possible correlations with lower energy bands in realistic GRB afterglow models. In the standard GRB afterglow model, the relativistic homogeneous shock is usually considered to be fully adiabatic, however, it could be partially radiative. Based on the external forward-shock scenario in both stellar wind and constant-density medium. We present a radiative-adiabatic analytical model of the synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) and synchrotron processes considering an electron energy distribution with a power-law index of 1 < p < 2 and 2 $\leq$ p. We show that the SSC scenario plays a relevant role in the radiative parameter $ε$, leading to a prolonged evolution during the slow cooling regime. In a particular case, we derive the Fermi/LAT light curves together with the photons with energies $\geq$ 100 MeV in a sample of nine bursts from the second Fermi/LAT GRB catalog that exhibited temporal and spectral indices with $\geq$ 1.5 and $\approx$ 2, respectively. These events can hardly be described with closure relations of the standard synchrotron afterglow model, and also exhibit energetic photons above the synchrotron limit. We have modeled the multi-wavelength observations of our sample to constrain the microphysical parameters, the circumburst density, the bulk Lorentz factor and the mechanism responsible for explaining the energetic GeV photons.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

A new binning method to choose a standard set of Quasars

Although the Lambda Cold Dark Matter model is the most accredited cosmological model, information at intermediate redshifts (z) between type Ia Supernovae (z = 2.26) and the Cosmic Microwave Background (z = 1100) is crucial to validate this model further. Here, we present a detailed and reliable methodology for binning the quasars (QSO) data that allows the identification of a golden sample of QSOs to be used as standard candles. This procedure has the advantage of being very general. Thus, it can be applied to any astrophysical sources at cosmological distances. This methodology allows us to avoid the circularity problem since it involves a flux-flux relation and includes the analysis of removing selection biases and the redshift evolution. With this method, we have discovered a sample of 1253 quasars up to z = 7.54 with reduced intrinsic dispersion of the relation between Ultraviolet and X-ray fluxes, with $δ_{int} = 0.096\pm 0.003$ (56\% less than the original sample where $δ_{int} =0.22$). Once the luminosities are corrected for selection biases and redshift evolution, this `gold' sample allows us to determine the matter density parameter to be $Ω_M=0.240 \pm 0.064$. This value is aligned with the results of the $ΛCDM$ model obtained with SNe Ia.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

From the gravitational waves to the exoplanets: the Research Highlights

In this Research Highlights, we summarize 31 contributions provided during the Workshop \textit{Multifrequency Behaviour of High Energy Cosmic Sources - XIV}, held in Palermo (Italy) from the 12th to the 17th of June 2023. We will start with the most recent discoveries in the field of gravitational waves (GWs). We will connect this topic to the contributions of Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) associated with GWs and with the Kilonovae (KNe) hunting and, more in general, on GRBs. Continuing on high-energy astrophysics objects, we will delve into Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs), neutrino astronomy and the study of the primordial universe, both from the space telescopes' observation and from the very recent proposals in terms of cosmological models. From the faraway universe, we will move to the more local scales and discuss the recent observations in Supernova Remnants (SNRs), massive star binaries, globular cluster dynamics, and exoplanets observed by Kepler.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2023

Machine-Learning Enhanced Photometric Analysis of the Extremely Bright GRB 210822A

We present analytical and numerical models of the bright long GRB 210822A at $z=1.736$. The intrinsic extreme brightness exhibited in the optical, which is very similar to other bright GRBs (e.g., GRBs 080319B, 130427A, 160625A 190114C, and 221009A), makes GRB 210822A an ideal case for studying the evolution of this particular kind of GRB. We use optical data from the RATIR instrument starting at $T+315.9$ s, with publicly available optical data from other ground-based observatories, as well as Swift/UVOT, and X-ray data from the Swift/XRT instrument. The temporal profiles and spectral properties during the late stages align consistently with the conventional forward shock model, complemented by a reverse shock element that dominates optical emissions during the initial phases ($T<300$ s). Furthermore, we observe a break at $T=80000$s that we interpreted as evidence of a jet break, which constrains the opening angle to be about $θ_\mathrm{j}=(3-5)$ degrees. Finally, we apply a machine-learning technique to model the multi-wavelength light curve of GRB 210822A using the AFTERGLOWPY library. We estimate the angle of sight $θ_{obs}=(6.4 \pm 0.1) \times 10^{-1}$ degrees, the energy $E_0=(7.9 \pm 1.6)\times 10^{53}$ ergs, the electron index $p=2.54 \pm 0.10$, the thermal energy fraction in electrons $ε_\mathrm{e}=(4.63 \pm 0.91) \times 10^{-5}$ and in the magnetic field $ε_\mathrm{B}= (8.66 \pm 1.01) \times 10^{-6}$, the efficiency $χ= 0.89 \pm 0.01$, and the density of the surrounding medium $n_\mathrm{0} = 0.85 \pm 0.01 cm^{-3}$.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Microphysical Parameter Variation in GRB Stratified Afterglows and Closure Relations: from sub-GeV to TeV Observations

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are one of the most exciting sources that offer valuable opportunities for investigating the evolution of energy fraction given to magnetic fields and particles through microphysical parameters during relativistic shocks. The delayed onset of GeV-TeV radiation from bursts detected by the \textit{Fermi} Large Area Telescope (\textit{Fermi}-LAT) and Cherenkov Telescopes provide crucial information in favor of the external-shock model. Derivation of the closure relations (CRs) and the light curves in external shocks requires knowledge of GRB afterglow physics. In this manuscript, we derive the CRs and light curves in a stratified medium with variations of microphysical parameters of the synchrotron and SSC afterglow model radiated by an electron distribution with a hard and soft spectral index. Using Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulations, we apply the current model to investigate the evolution of the spectral and temporal indexes of those GRBs reported in the Second Gamma-ray Burst Catalog (2FLGC), which comprises 29 bursts with photon energies above 10 GeV and of those bursts (GRB 180720B, 190114C, 190829A and 221009A) with energetic photons above 100 GeV, which can hardly be modeled with the CRs of the standard synchrotron scenario. The analysis shows that i) the most likely afterglow model using synchrotron and SSC emission on the 2FLGC corresponds to the constant-density scenario, and ii) variations of spectral (temporal) index keeping the temporal (spectral) index constant could be associated with the evolution of microphysical parameters, as exhibited in GRB 190829A and GRB 221009A.

astro-ph.HE↗