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R. Moradi

Publications and source records attributed to R. Moradi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The angular structure of the GW170817 jet from prompt emission alone

We determine the angular structure of the GW170817 jet by the prompt emission alone, without afterglow fitting, circumburst density or microphysical parameters. We assume that GRB 090510 and GW170817 have outflows of the same kind, observed respectively on-axis and at the interferometric viewing angle of $20^\circ$. We support this assumption with independent gravitational-wave data showing compatible binary masses and radiated energies. We show that for an observer whose beaming cone is filled with outflow, the point-source Doppler scalings do not apply: $E_{\rm iso}=4\pi\epsilon(\theta_v)$, with $\epsilon$ the energy radiated per unit solid angle along the line of sight, while the peak energy follows $E_{\rm p,i}\propto\Gamma(\theta_v)$. We obtain $n={\rm d}\ln\epsilon/{\rm d}\ln\Gamma = 3.76\pm0.29$ from the ratio of the two bursts, with no free parameter and no assumed angle. This excludes four structures in common use at $4.7\sigma$ to $13\sigma$; three remain above $4\sigma$ across the full reported range of the peak energy of the GW170817 jet. Two prompt spectra fix no angular scale; supplying it with the core Lorentz factor of GRB 090510 and the viewing angle gives $\epsilon\propto\theta^{-7.4}$ outside a core of $2^\circ$--$5^\circ$, in agreement with the width inferred from $367$ short bursts, the outflow remaining relativistic at $\Gamma=33$ on the line of sight. The exponent exceeds what the Lorentz boost of a uniform comoving flow can produce, so the structure is intrinsic to the outflow and not a consequence of the boost. The same structure fixes the emission radius, which contributes $0.41$~s of the $1.74$~s delay between the gravitational-wave signal and the gamma-rays, the remainder being the launch and breakout of the jet, with no free parameters. We conclude that the faintness lies in the structure of the GW170817 jet, not in the de-beaming of a bright core.

astro-ph.HE

GRB 220101A: a most energetic $10^{54}$ erg long GRB triggered by two supernovae 3.5 seconds apart

GRB 220101A is a long GRB, with a total energy exceeding $10^{54}$ erg with a redshift $z = 4.61$ and one of the largest ever high-quality multi-wavelength observational coverage, from a large number of space-based and ground-based telescopes. We interpret this source in a doubly Binary driven peta nova (BdP-N) model. The progenitor is composed of a massive CO core of $\sim 10\,M_\odot$, highly magnetized with $B \sim 10^{6}$ G, associated to a neutron star (NS) and a white dwarf (WD) with orbital periods from minutes to hours. The large GRB luminosity is explained by a sequence of 7 episodes: episode 1 is triggered by a new kind of pair supernova (HB) which originates from the collapse of the strongly magnetized CO core. Accretion of the HB supernova ejecta (the ejecta) onto the white dwarf companion triggers after 3.5 sec the episode 2: the second supernova emitting neutrinos and creating a new neutron star ($\nu$NS). The ejecta, interacting with the magnetosphere of the binary NS companion originate the episode 3: the Ultra relativistic Prompt Emission (UPE) emission by far the most energetic episode of this GRB, with the formation of a powerful jet normal to the plane of the GRB. Following the UPE energy loss, the accretion of the ejecta on the NS companion leads to the episode 4: the formation of a black hole (BH) of $2.3 \ M_\odot$ leading to the observed GeV afterglow emission. Further accretion of the ejecta spin up the $\nu$NS to a period of $1.3$ ms which gives origin to the episode 5: the birth of a pulsar. The interaction of this milli-second pulsar with the remnants lead to the Episode 6: the synchrotron emission observed in the X-ray, optical and radio, The episode 7 is a 56.7 ms pulsar, as observed $10^{10}$ s after the first burst in the crab nebula.

astro-ph.HE

Evidence of self-organized criticality in the prompt emission of a bright gamma-ray burst

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most energetic explosive events in the Universe, yet the physical mechanism of their prompt emission remains a mystery. Especially, it is unclear whether the energy dissipation mechanism in the GRB jet is dominated by kinetic energy or magnetic energy. Here, we studied the pulses in the prompt emission of the second brightest GRB to date, GRB 230307A, which was accurately measured by the Gravitational wave high-energy electromagnetic counterpart all-sky monitor (GECAM), with focus on the cumulative distributions of peak counts and duration of pulses as well as the waiting time between pulses. We find that these cumulative distributions show scale-invariant behavior, well consistent with the prediction of the self-organized criticality (SOC) theory. This is the first robust evidence of an SOC feature in the prompt emission of a single GRB. Moreover, the statistical properties of pulses in the prompt emission of GRB 230307A are very similar to those of solar flares. Our findings suggest that the prompt emission of GRB is powered by the dissipation of magnetic energy in the ultra-relativistic jet, supporting the Poynting-flux-dominated prompt models.

astro-ph.HE

GRB 250706B/C: Insight-HXMT Discovery of a High-Luminosity Burst as a Candidate for Fallback-Regulated Accretion in the Prompt Emission

Fallback accretion in collapsar models is often associated with underluminous gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), leading to the widespread view that fallback-fed engines may be intrinsically inefficient at producing high-luminosity events. In this Letter, we present GRB 250706B/C, a luminous long GRB observed by \textit{Insight}-HXMT that exhibits an unusual combination of extreme short-timescale variability and coherent large-scale temporal evolution. The prompt emission contains at least 79 resolved pulses and a minimum variability timescale of $\sim11$ ms. The pulse widths are nearly independent of photon energy and span a broad distribution with a median FWHM of $\sim0.30$ s, while the waiting times between adjacent pulses have a median of $\sim0.38$ s. The prompt-emission envelope exhibits a prolonged rise described by $F(t)\propto (t-t_0)^{0.47\pm0.01}$ followed by a rapid decline. Despite substantial pulse-to-pulse fluctuations, neither the pulse widths nor the waiting times show significant secular evolution during the main emission episode. These features indicate the coexistence of two distinct temporal components, including a slow evolving rising luminosity envelope and rapid stochastic variability. Such behavior is consistent with scenarios in which a time-dependent engine-feeding history regulates the large-scale emission while internal dissipation within the relativistic outflow produces the pulse structure. Within this context, GRB~250706B/C may represent a fallback-fed collapsar operating on a high-luminosity branch, suggesting that fallback itself does not necessarily limit the luminosity scale of GRBs.

astro-ph.HE

An Accretion-Modulated Internal Shock Model for Long GRBs

We introduce the Accretion-Modulated Internal Shock model (AMIS) as a possible framework for explaining the observational properties of long gamma-ray burst (GRB) prompt emission. In this scenario, the envelope of the prompt light curve follows the time-dependent mass-supply history to the central engine, associated with stellar collapse and, where applicable, fallback accretion, whose early-time onset can be approximated by $\dot{M}\propto t^{0-1/2}$ and which subsequently may decay as $\dot{M}\propto t^{-5/3}$, producing a photon count rate with a single fast-rise-exponential-decay (FRED)-like profile. In general, the prompt-emission envelope is regulated by a time-dependent mass supply to the central engine, while internal shocks produce the rapid variability. Since we only aim to introduce this framework here, we focus on the simplest single-FRED shape of the prompt emission profiles, while more complex cases involving multiple episodes and interacting shocks will be explored in forthcoming studies. The model indicates correlations between spectral evolution, FRED-pulse narrowing at high energies, and the mass-supply-controlled envelope. Stochastic Lorentz factor variations of ejected mass- or rate-driven shells, superimposed on the Accretion-Modulated envelope, explain the coexistence of smooth global trends and irregular short-timescale features, such as the widths of individual pulses in long GRB light curves, offering diagnostic tools for probing the inner engine activity.

astro-ph.HE

Selected topics on: 1) proposal of interpreting the Crab supernova with a GRB 2) progress in identifying the seven GRBs episodes 3) the role of Sagittarius A in identifying the dark matter component (the X fermion)

As the fiftieth anniversary of our common effort in the field of relativistic astrophysics is approaching, we offer a new look to some of our acquired knowledge in a more complete view, which evidence previous unnoticed connections. They are gaining due prominence in reaching a more complete picture evidencing the main results. We outline the history of GRB observations along with a summary of the contributions made by our group to develop the BdHN interpreting model. We show the seven Episodes characterizing the most powerful BdHNe I occurred to date: GRB 190114C and GRB 220101A. New inferences for the explanation of the highest energy radiation in the TeV are presented.

astro-ph.HE

Vacuum breakdown around a Kerr black hole surrounded by a magnetic field

We present the invariant characterization of the region where vacuum breakdown into electron-positron ($e^+e^-$) pairs occurs due to an overcritical electric field, the dyadoregion, in the case of a Kerr black hole (BH) in the presence of an external, asymptotically uniform test magnetic field aligned with the BH rotation axis, using the Wald solution. We calculate the dyadoregion morphology, the electromagnetic energy available to the pairs, the pair-creation rate, the pair number density, the average energy per pair, and the pair energy density and pressure. These results provide initial conditions for simulating the subsequent dynamics of the pair-produced plasma and astrophysical applications in the context of high-energy transients involving BHs in strong electromagnetic fields.

gr-qc

Constraining the Neutron-Star Equation of State via Short Gamma-Ray Burst X-ray Afterglows

Recent observations from NICER in X-rays and LIGO/Virgo in gravitational waves have provided critical constraints on the mass, radius, and tidal deformability of neutron stars, imposing stringent limits on the equation of state (EOS) and the behavior of ultra-dense matter. However, several key parameters influencing the EOS, such as the maximum mass of neutron stars, spin-down rates, and the potential role of exotic matter in their cores, remain subject of ongoing debate. Here we present a new approach to constraining the EOS by analyzing the X-ray afterglows of some short gamma-ray bursts, focusing on "the internal plateau" phase and its abrupt decay, which reflect the spin-down and possible collapse of a supra-massive neutron star into a black hole. By linking critical neutron star masses with black hole formation criteria and the observational data from Swift's BAT and XRT instruments with compact object models, we explore three representative EOSs that range from "soft" to "stiff". Our result supports a maximum mass for neutron stars of approximately 2.39 solar masses at the threshold of black hole formation. This conclusion holds under assumptions of magnetar-powered X-ray plateaus, constant radiative efficiency, isotropic emission, and full Kerr black hole energy extraction; deviations could influence the inferred results. Our results demonstrate the critical role of neutron star/black hole physics in probing dense nuclear matter and provide a novel framework for exploring extreme astrophysical environments.

astro-ph.HE

A set of distinctive properties ruling the prompt emission of GRB 230307A and other long {\gamma}-ray bursts from compact object mergers

Short gamma-ray bursts (SGRBs), occasionally followed by a long and spectrally soft extended emission, are associated with compact object mergers (COMs). Yet, a few recent long GRBs (LGRBs) show compelling evidence for a COM origin, in contrast with the massive-star core-collapse origin of most LGRBs. While possible COM indicators were found, such as the minimum variability timescale (MVT), a detailed and unique characterisation of their gamma-ray prompt emission that may help identify and explain their deceptively long profile is yet to be found. Here we report the discovery of a set of distinctive properties that rule the temporal and spectral evolution of GRB 230307A, a LGRB with evidence for a COM origin. Specifically, the sequence of pulses that make up its profile is characterised by an exponential evolution of (i) flux intensities, (ii) waiting times between adjacent pulses, (iii) pulse durations, and (iv) spectral peak energy. Analogous patterns are observed in the prompt emission of other long COM candidates. The observed evolution of gamma-ray pulses would imply that a relativistic jet is colliding with more slowly expanding material. This contrasts with the standard internal shock model for typical LGRBs, in which dissipation occurs at random locations within the jet itself. We tentatively propose a few simple toy models that may explain these properties and are able to reproduce the overall time profile.

astro-ph.HE

Temporal and Spectral Analysis of the Unique and Second Brightest Gamma-Ray Burst GRB 230307A: Insights from GECAM and Fermi/GBM Observations

In this study, we present the pulse profile of the unique and the second brightest gamma-ray burst GRB 230307A, and analyze its temporal behavior using a joint GECAM--Fermi/GBM time-resolved spectral analysis. The utilization of GECAM data is advantageous as it successfully captured significant data during the pile-up period of the Fermi/GBM. We investigate the evolution of its flux, photon fluence, photon flux, peak energy, and the corresponding hardness-intensity and hardness-flux correlations. The findings within the first 27 seconds exhibit consistent patterns reported previously, providing valuable insights for comparing observations with predictions from the synchrotron radiation model invoking an expanding shell. Beyond the initial 27 seconds, we observe a notable transition in the emitted radiation, attributed to high latitude emission (HLE), influenced by the geometric properties of the shells and the relativistic Doppler effects. By modeling the data within the framework of the large-radius internal shock model, we discuss the required parameters as well as the limitations of the model. We conclude that a more complicated synchrotron emission model is needed to fully describe the observational data of GRB 230307A.

astro-ph.HE

FNet II: Spectral Classification of Quasars, Galaxies, Stars, and broad absorption line (BAL) Quasars

In this work, we enhance the FNet, a 1-dimensional convolutional neural network (CNN) with a residual neural network (ResNet) architecture, to perform spectral classification of quasars, galaxies, stars, and broad absorption line (BAL)-quasars in the SDSS-IV catalog from DR17 of eBOSS. Leveraging its convolutional layers and the ResNet structure with different kernel sizes, FNet autonomously identifies various patterns within the entire sample of spectra. Since FNet does not require the intermediate step of identifying specific lines, a simple modification enabled our current network to classify all SDSS spectra. This modification involves changing the final output layer from a single value (redshift) to multiple values (probabilities of all classes), and accordingly adjusting the loss function from mean squared error (MSE) to cross-entropy. FNet achieves a completeness of 99.00\% $\pm$ 0.20 for galaxies, 98.50\% $\pm$ 0.30 for quasars, 99.00\% $\pm$ 0.18 for BAL-quasars, and 98.80\% $\pm$ 0.20 for stars. These results are comparable to those obtained using QuasarNET, a standard CNN employed in the SDSS routine, comprises convolutional layers without the ResNet structure with equal kernel sizes, and is utilized for redshift measurement and classification by identifying seven emission lines. QuasarNET, in order to overcome the problem of finding a CIV emission line with broad absorption which is slightly more challenging than that of detecting emission lines requires to add BAL CIV line to the list of lines that the network learns to identify. However, this procedure is not necessary in FNet as it learns the features through a self-learning procedure.

astro-ph.GA

Ten Supernova-rise in Binary Driven Gamma-ray Bursts

The observation of a gamma-ray burst (GRB) associated with a supernova (SN) coincides remarkably with the energy output from a binary system comprising a very massive carbon-oxygen (CO) core and an associated binary neutron star (NS) by the Binary-Driven Hypernova (BdHN) model. The dragging effect in the late evolution of such systems leads to co-rotation, with binary periods on the order of minutes, resulting in a very fast rotating core and a binary NS companion at a distance of $\sim 10^5$ km. Such a fast-rotating CO core, stripped of its hydrogen and helium, undergoes gravitational collapse and, within a fraction of seconds, leads to a supernova (SN) and a newly born, fast-spinning neutron star ($\nu$NS), we name the emergence of the SN and the $\nu$NS as the SN-rise and $\nu$NS-rise. Typically, the SN energies range from $10^{51}$ to $10^{53}$ erg. We address this issue by examining 10 cases of Type-I BdHNe, the most energetic ones, in which SN accretion onto the companion NS leads to the formation of a black hole (BH). In all ten cases, the energetics of the SN events are estimated, ranging between $0.18$ and $12 \times 10^{52}$ erg. Additionally, in all 8 sources at redshift $z$ closer than $4.61$, a clear thermal blackbody component has been identified, with temperatures between $6.2$ and $39.99$ keV, as a possible signature of pair-driven SN. The triggering of the X-ray afterglow induced by the $\nu$NS-rise are identified in three cases at high redshift where early X-ray observations are achievable, benefits from the interplay of cosmological effects.

astro-ph.HE

Quark stars in massive gravity might be candidates for the mass gap objects

We have investigated the structural properties of strange quark stars (SQSs) in a modified theory of gravity known as massive gravity. In order to obtain the equation of state (EOS) of strange quark matter, we have employed a modified version of the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model (MNJL) which includes a combination of NJL Lagrangian and its Fierz transformation by using weighting factors ($1-\alpha $) and $\alpha$. Additionally, we have also calculated dimensionless tidal deformability ($\Lambda$) in massive gravity. To constrain the allowed values of the parameters appearing in massive gravity, we have imposed the condition $\Lambda_{1.4 {M}_{\odot }}\lesssim580 $. Notably, in the MNJL model, the value of $\alpha$ varies between zero and one. As $\alpha$ increases, the EOS becomes stiffer, and the value of $\Lambda$ increases accordingy. We have demonstrated that by softening the EOS with increasing the bag constant, one can obtain objects in massive gravity that not only satisfy the constraint $\Lambda_{1.4 {M}% _{\odot }}\lesssim580$, but they also fall within the unknown mass gap region ($2.5{M}_{\odot}-5{M}_{\odot }$). To establish that the obtained objects in this region are not black holes, we have calculated Schwarzschild radius, compactness, and $\Lambda_{{M_{TOV}}}$ in massive gravity.

gr-qc

Evidence of mini-jet emission in a large emission zone from a magnetically-dominated gamma-ray burst jet

The second brightest GRB in history, GRB230307A, provides an ideal laboratory to study the mechanism of GRB prompt emission thanks to its extraordinarily high photon statistics and its single episode activity. Here we demonstrate that the rapidly variable components of its prompt emission compose an overall broad single pulse-like profile. Although these individual rapid components are aligned in time across all energy bands, this overall profile conspires to show a well-defined energy-dependent behavior which is typically seen in single GRB pulses. Such a feature demonstrates that the prompt emission of this burst is from many individual emitting units that are casually linked in a emission site at a large distance from the central engine. Such a scenario is in natural consistency with the internal-collision-induced magnetic reconnection and turbulence framework, which invokes many mini-jets due to local magnetic reconnection that constantly appear and disappear in a global magnetically-dominated jet.

astro-ph.HE

Probing electromagnetic-gravitational wave emission coincidence in type I binary-driven hypernova family of long GRBs at very-high redshift

The repointing time of the XRT instrument on the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory satellite has posed challenges in observing and studying the early X-ray emissions within $\approx40$ s after a gamma-ray burst (GRB) trigger. To address this issue, we adopt a novel approach that capitalizes on the cosmological time dilation in GRBs with redshifts ranging from $3$ to $9$. Applying this strategy to Swift/XRT data, we investigate the earliest X-ray emissions of $368$ GRBs from the Swift catalog, including short and long GRBs. We compare the time delay between the GRB trigger and the initial Swift/XRT observation, measured in the GRB observer frame (OTD) and the cosmological rest-frame (RTD). This technique is here used in the analysis of GRB 090423 at $z=8.233$ (RTD $\sim8.2$ s), GRB 090429B at $z\approx9.4$ (RTD $\sim10.1$ s), and GRB 220101A at $z=4.61$ (RTD $\sim14.4$ s). The cosmological time dilation enables us to observe the very early X-ray afterglow emission in these three GRBs. We thus validate the observation of the collapse of the carbon-oxygen (CO) core and the coeval newborn neutron star ($\nu$NS) formation triggering the GRB event in the binary-driven hypernova (BdHN) scenario. We also evidence the $\nu$NS spin-up due to supernova ejecta fallback and its subsequent slowing down due to the X-optical-radio synchrotron afterglow emission. A brief gravitational wave signal may separate the two stages due to a fast-spinning $\nu$NS triaxial-to-axisymmetric transition. We also analyze the long GRB redshift distribution for the different BdHN types and infer that BdHNe II and III may originate the NS binary progenitors of short GRBs.

astro-ph.HE

GRB-SN Association within the Binary-Driven Hypernova Model

The observations of supernovae (SNe) Ic occurring after the prompt emission of long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are addressed within the binary-driven hypernova (BdHN) model where GRBs originate from a binary composed of a $\sim10M_\odot$ carbon-oxygen (CO) star and a neutron star (NS). The CO core collapse gives the trigger, leading to a hypernova with a fast-spinning newborn NS ($\nu$NS) at its center. The evolution depends strongly on the binary period, $P_{\rm bin}$. For $P_{\rm bin}\sim5$min, BdHNe I occur with energies $10^{52}$--$10^{54}$erg. The accretion of SN ejecta onto the NS leads to its collapse, forming a black hole (BH) originating the MeV/GeV radiation. For $P_{\rm bin}\sim 10$min, BdHNe II occur with energies $10^{50}$--$10^{52}$erg and for $P_{\rm bin}\sim$hours, BdHN III occurs with energies below $10^{50}$erg. {In BdHNe II and III,} no BH is formed. The $1$--$1000$ms $\nu$NS originates, in all BdHNe, the X-ray-optical-radio afterglows by synchrotron emission. The hypernova follows an independent evolution, becoming an SN Ic, powered by nickel decay, observable after the GRB prompt emission. We report $24$ SNe Ic associated with BdHNe. Their optical peak luminosity and time of occurrence are similar and independent of the associated GRBs. {From previously identified $380$ BdHN I comprising redshifts up to $z=8.2$, we analyze} four examples with their associated hypernovae. By multiwavelength extragalactic observations, we identify seven new Episodes, theoretically explained, fortunately not yet detected in galactic sources, opening new research areas. Refinement of population synthesis simulations is needed to map the progenitors of such short-lived binary systems inside our galaxy.

astro-ph.HE

The structure of the ultrarelativistic prompt emission phase and the properties of the black hole in GRB 180720B

In analogy with GRB 190114C, we here analyze the ultrarelativistic prompt emission (UPE) of GRB 180720B observed in the rest-frame time interval $t_{\rm rf}=4.84$--$10.89$~s by Fermi-GBM. We reveal the UPE hierarchical structure from the time-resolved spectral analysis performed in time sub-intervals: the spectrum in each shorter time interval is always fitted by a composite blackbody plus cutoff power-law model. We explain this structure with the \textit{inner engine} of binary-driven hypernova (BdHN) model operating in a quantum electrodynamics (QED) regime. In this regime, the electric field induced by the gravitomagnetic interaction of the newborn Kerr BH with the surrounding magnetic field is overcritical, i.e., $|{\bf E}|\geq E_c$, where $E_c=m_e^2 c^3/(e\hbar)$. The overcritical field polarizes the vacuum leading to an $e^+~e^-$ pair plasma that loads baryons from the surroundings during its expansion. We calculate the dynamics of the self-acceleration of the pair-electromagnetic-baryon (PEMB) pulses to their point of transparency. We characterize the quantum vacuum polarization process in the sequences of decreasing time bins of the UPE by determining the radiation timescale, Lorentz factors, and transparency radius of the PEMB pulses. We also estimate the strength of the surrounding magnetic field $\sim 10^{14}$ G, and obtain a lower limit to the BH mass, $M=2.4~M_\odot$, and correspondingly an upper limit to the spin, $\alpha = 0.6$, from the conditions that the UPE is powered by the Kerr BH extractable energy and its mass is bound from below by the NS critical mass.

astro-ph.HE

The first minutes of a binary-driven hypernova

We simulate the first minutes of the evolution of a binary-driven hypernova (BdHN) event, with a special focus on the associated accretion processes of supernova (SN) ejecta onto the newborn neutron star ($\nu$NS) and the NS companion. We calculate the rotational evolution of the $\nu$NS and the NS under the torques exerted by the accreted matter and the magnetic field. We take into account general relativistic effects and use realistic hypercritical accretion rates obtained from three-dimensional smoothed-particle-hydrodynamics (SPH) numerical simulations of the BdHN for a variety of orbital periods. We show that the rotation power of the $\nu$NS has a unique double-peak structure while that of the NS has a single peak. These peaks are of comparable intensity and can occur very close in time or even simultaneously depending on the orbital period and the initial angular momentum of the stars. We outline the consequences of the above features in the early emission and their consequent observation in long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs).

astro-ph.HE