Date of Award
12-2008
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Legacy Department
Physics
Committee Chair/Advisor
Hartmann, Dr. Dieter H.
Committee Member
King , Dr. Jeremy R.
Committee Member
Leising , Dr. Mark D,
Committee Member
Brittain , Dr. Sean D.
Abstract
Although long-duration GRBs (LGRBs) are highly transient in nature, their early afterglow can in principle be detected to very high redshifts (Lamb & Reichart, 2000). This makes them potent probes of the chemical evolution and content of the high-redshift universe. In this work, we use photoelectric absorption observed in the XRT spectra of LGRBs to investigate the evolution of metallicities and hydrogen column densities of LGRB host galaxies. Using a high-quality sample of LGRBs indicates the presence of a weak anti-correlation between the abundances and redshift. We also find an evolution trend in intrinsic column density. To confirm these correlations, more high S/N XRT spectra are needed.
Recommended Citation
Eid, Hala, "Probing GRB Environments through X-Ray Absorption" (2008). All Theses. 527.
https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses/527