Features in the Spectra of Gamma-Ray Bursts
Abstract
Gravitational lensing of cosmological gamma-ray bursts by objects in the mass range ~10^17^-10^20^g (femtolensing) may introduce complicated interference patterns that might be interpreted as absorption or emission lines in the bursts' spectra. This phenomenon, if detected, may be used as a unique probe of dark matter in the universe. The BATSE spectral data should allow one to detect such spectral features or to put significant upper limits on the cosmic density of a dark matter component that may be in the femtolensing range. Software to generate theoretical spectra has been developed, and it is accessible over the computer network with anonymous ftp.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- August 1993
- DOI:
- 10.1086/186946
- Bibcode:
- 1993ApJ...413L...7S
- Keywords:
-
- Dark Matter;
- Gamma Ray Bursts;
- Gamma Ray Spectra;
- Gravitational Lenses;
- Spectrum Analysis;
- Cosmology;
- Geometrical Optics;
- Space-Time Functions;
- Wave Diffraction;
- Wave Interaction;
- Astrophysics;
- COSMOLOGY: DARK MATTER;
- COSMOLOGY: GRAVITATIONAL LENSING;
- GAMMA RAYS: BURSTS