Polarisation studies of the prompt gamma-ray emission from GRB 041219a using the spectrometer aboard <i>INTEGRAL</i>

Abstract

Context.Linear polarisation in gamma-ray burst prompt emission is an important diagnostic with the potential to significantly constrain models. The spectrometer aboard INTEGRAL, SPI, has the capability to detect the signature of polarised emission from a bright γ-ray source. GRB 041219a is the most intense burst localised by INTEGRAL with a fluence of 5.7 erg cm-2 over the energy range 20 keV–8 MeV and is an ideal candidate for such a study.