Astrophysics and Cosmology Seminar
Exploring Binary Neutron Star mergers: population synthesis and gamma-ray burst afterglows
Dr. Clement Pellouin
TAU
Abstract
In 2017, the multi-messenger astronomy era with gravitational waves was opened with the detection of a binary neutron star merger - GW 170817 - and its electromagnetic counterparts: a short gamma-ray burst and its multi-wavelength afterglow. In this presentation, I will show how we can leverage binary neutron star (BNS) merger observations following two axes:
Through statistical studies using population synthesis. I will show that the population of merging BNSs teaches us about the evolutionary tracks of their progenitor stars - and how this may evolve with redshift;
Via the properties of their multi-wavelength afterglows. I will present a model that accounts for the lateral structure of GRB jets and computes their emissivity, accounting for synchrotron and synchrotron self-Compton in Thompson and Klein-Nishina regimes. I will show predictions for the expected emission at very high energies (~ 1 TeV).
Through statistical studies using population synthesis. I will show that the population of merging BNSs teaches us about the evolutionary tracks of their progenitor stars - and how this may evolve with redshift;
Via the properties of their multi-wavelength afterglows. I will present a model that accounts for the lateral structure of GRB jets and computes their emissivity, accounting for synchrotron and synchrotron self-Compton in Thompson and Klein-Nishina regimes. I will show predictions for the expected emission at very high energies (~ 1 TeV).