Prospects for the Detection of High-redshift Gamma-Ray Bursts in the Era of EP and SVOM
Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are a promising probe of the high-redshift Universe, but their detection remains observationally challenging. In this work, we explore the detectability of high- z GRBs by the Wide-field X-ray Telescope (WXT) on board the Einstein Probe (EP) and the coded-mask gamma-ray image...
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IOP Publishing
2025-01-01
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| Series: | The Astrophysical Journal Letters |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/adf112 |
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| author | Jun-Jie Wei Xue-Feng Wu |
| author_facet | Jun-Jie Wei Xue-Feng Wu |
| author_sort | Jun-Jie Wei |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are a promising probe of the high-redshift Universe, but their detection remains observationally challenging. In this work, we explore the detectability of high- z GRBs by the Wide-field X-ray Telescope (WXT) on board the Einstein Probe (EP) and the coded-mask gamma-ray imager (ECLAIRs) on board the Space-based multi-band astronomical Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM). Using a population synthesis model calibrated to Swift GRB observations, we develop a tool to estimate high- z GRB detection rates for instruments with specific energy bands and sensitivities. Our results indicate that EP/WXT could detect $\sim 5.{1}_{-2.4}^{+3.4}$ (with 68% confidence level) GRBs annually at z > 6, compared to $\sim 0.{7}_{-0.4}^{+1.0}$ events per year at z > 6 for SVOM/ECLAIRs. While EP cannot independently determine redshifts (requiring optical/near-infrared, NIR, follow-up), its assumed ∼30% follow-up efficiency yields $\sim 1.{5}_{-0.7}^{+1.0}$ confirmed z > 6 GRBs annually. SVOM, equipped with dedicated follow-up telescopes, will promptly identify high- z candidates deserving deep NIR spectroscopy to ensure robust confirmation of high- z GRBs. We anticipate that EP and SVOM will open new avenues for utilizing enlarged samples of high- z GRBs to explore the early Universe. Moreover, EP will assemble a substantial sample of soft, low-luminosity GRBs at low-to-intermediate redshifts, providing critical insights into the structure of GRB jets. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-098e50d893bc4f51af4c89832e71556d |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2041-8205 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| series | The Astrophysical Journal Letters |
| spelling | doaj-art-098e50d893bc4f51af4c89832e71556d2025-08-20T03:16:14ZengIOP PublishingThe Astrophysical Journal Letters2041-82052025-01-019882L7110.3847/2041-8213/adf112Prospects for the Detection of High-redshift Gamma-Ray Bursts in the Era of EP and SVOMJun-Jie Wei0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0162-2488Xue-Feng Wu1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6299-1263Purple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Nanjing 210023, People’s Republic of China ; jjwei@pmo.ac.cn, xfwu@pmo.ac.cn; School of Astronomy and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China , Hefei 230026, People’s Republic of ChinaPurple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Nanjing 210023, People’s Republic of China ; jjwei@pmo.ac.cn, xfwu@pmo.ac.cn; School of Astronomy and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China , Hefei 230026, People’s Republic of ChinaGamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are a promising probe of the high-redshift Universe, but their detection remains observationally challenging. In this work, we explore the detectability of high- z GRBs by the Wide-field X-ray Telescope (WXT) on board the Einstein Probe (EP) and the coded-mask gamma-ray imager (ECLAIRs) on board the Space-based multi-band astronomical Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM). Using a population synthesis model calibrated to Swift GRB observations, we develop a tool to estimate high- z GRB detection rates for instruments with specific energy bands and sensitivities. Our results indicate that EP/WXT could detect $\sim 5.{1}_{-2.4}^{+3.4}$ (with 68% confidence level) GRBs annually at z > 6, compared to $\sim 0.{7}_{-0.4}^{+1.0}$ events per year at z > 6 for SVOM/ECLAIRs. While EP cannot independently determine redshifts (requiring optical/near-infrared, NIR, follow-up), its assumed ∼30% follow-up efficiency yields $\sim 1.{5}_{-0.7}^{+1.0}$ confirmed z > 6 GRBs annually. SVOM, equipped with dedicated follow-up telescopes, will promptly identify high- z candidates deserving deep NIR spectroscopy to ensure robust confirmation of high- z GRBs. We anticipate that EP and SVOM will open new avenues for utilizing enlarged samples of high- z GRBs to explore the early Universe. Moreover, EP will assemble a substantial sample of soft, low-luminosity GRBs at low-to-intermediate redshifts, providing critical insights into the structure of GRB jets.https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/adf112Gamma-ray burstsStar formationObservational cosmology |
| spellingShingle | Jun-Jie Wei Xue-Feng Wu Prospects for the Detection of High-redshift Gamma-Ray Bursts in the Era of EP and SVOM The Astrophysical Journal Letters Gamma-ray bursts Star formation Observational cosmology |
| title | Prospects for the Detection of High-redshift Gamma-Ray Bursts in the Era of EP and SVOM |
| title_full | Prospects for the Detection of High-redshift Gamma-Ray Bursts in the Era of EP and SVOM |
| title_fullStr | Prospects for the Detection of High-redshift Gamma-Ray Bursts in the Era of EP and SVOM |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prospects for the Detection of High-redshift Gamma-Ray Bursts in the Era of EP and SVOM |
| title_short | Prospects for the Detection of High-redshift Gamma-Ray Bursts in the Era of EP and SVOM |
| title_sort | prospects for the detection of high redshift gamma ray bursts in the era of ep and svom |
| topic | Gamma-ray bursts Star formation Observational cosmology |
| url | https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/adf112 |
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