GAMMA-RAY BURSTS AS X-RAY DEPTH GAUGES OF THE UNIVERSE

摘要

We discuss the X-ray flux of gamma-ray burst afterglows at redshifts in the range 3―30, including the effects of the intergalactic He Ⅱ absorption. We point out that strong X-ray lines may form locally in burst afterglows starting minutes after the trigger. This can provide distinctive X-ray distance indicators out to the redshifts at which the first generation of massive stars form.