The polarized gamma-ray burst GRB 061122

Abstract

We report on the polarization measure, obtained with IBIS on board INTEGRAL, of the prompt emission of GRB 061122. Over an 8 s interval containing the brightest part of the gamma-ray burst (GRB) we put a lower limit on its polarization fraction of 60 per cent at 68 per cent confidence level (c.l.) and of 33 per cent at 90 per cent c.l. on the 250-800 keV energy range.

We performed late time optical and near-infrared imaging observations of the GRB field using the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo and the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. Our multiband (ugrizYJHK) photometry allowed us to identify the host galaxy of GRB 061122 and to build its spectral energy distribution. Using a photometric redshift code we fitted these data, and derived the basic properties of the galaxy, including its type and redshift, that we could constrain to the interval [0.57, 2.10] at a 90 per cent c.l., with a best-fitting value of z = 1.33.

The polarization measurement in different energy bands, together with the distance determination, allowed us to put the most stringent limit (ξ ≲ 3.4 × 10^-16) to date to a possible Lorentz invariance violation based on the vacuum birefringence effect, predicted by some quantum-gravity theories.