Contents

• Contents
• List of Figures
• List of Tables
• The BeppoSAX Gamma Ray Burst Monitor experiment
  • The BeppoSAX satellite
    • Mission overview
    • The scientific payload
    • Data formats and data reduction software
  • The Gamma-Ray Burst Monitor experiment
    • Inorganic scintillator detectors
    • The Phoswich Detection System
    • The Gamma-Ray Burst Monitor
    • GRBM scientific data
• GRBM on-ground calibrations
  • On-ground performance tests of GRBM detectors
    • Functional tests on plain crystals
    • Detectors calibrations with PDS experiment integrated
  • On-ground GRBM calibrations performed after spacecraft integration
    • Radioactive sources
    • Measurement set-up and strategy
    • Monitoring of spurious contributions
  • Calibrations database and preliminary analysis
    • Ratemeters data
    • Energy spectra
    • Background
    • Sources calibration and spurious contributions
• GRBM detectors response functions
  • Gamma-ray spectroscopy with inorganic scintillators
    • Interaction of gamma radiation with matter
    • Spectral response of real scintillators
  • Response matrix and spectral data fitting
    • Building the response matrix
    • Spectral fitting
  • Response in the GRBM and AC ratemeters bands
    • On-axis efficiency
    • Analytical interpolation of LS1 and LS3 efficiency angular dependency
    • Interpolation of LS2 and LS4 efficiencies
  • Spectral response matrices of LS1 and LS3
    • Channel to energy conversion and energy resolution
    • Spectral shape modeling
    • Thresholds effects
    • Standardization of response matrices formats
    • Expected counts spectra for different source photon spectra
  • Comparison between calibrations results and preliminary Monte Carlo simulations
    • The Monte Carlo model
    • Simulation of on-ground measurements and comparison with the calibrations data
• The in-flight data: source detection, data analysis and response functions verification
  • GRBM in-flight performances
  • In-orbit background
    • Background level and variations in the GRBM and AC ratemeters
    • Background spectral properties
  • Gamma-ray burst detection
  • Detection of sources with the Earth occultation technique
  • Derivation of flux and spectral evolution from 1 s ratemeters
  • Energy spectra analysis
  • Source direction
  • Dead time and counter recycling corrections
    • Dead time
    • Counters recycling
  • Systematics due to uncertainties in detectors efficiencies
  • Data reduction and analysis software
    • Data reduction software
      • Raw data processing
      • FOT data processing
    • Specific GRBM data analysis software
    • GRBM data analysis with standard softwares
  • In-flight verification of the response functions
    • Measurements of Crab nebula flux and spectrum
      • The Crab Nebula as a standard candle
      • Crab Nebula flux and photon index from the 1 s ratemeters
      • Crab Nebula 240 channels spectrum
    • Comparison with CGRO/BATSE results
      • The BATSE experiment and GRB catalogue
      • Simultaneous detection of GRBM and BATSE
      • Comparison between GRBM and BATSE results
  • WFC and GRBM joint data analysis and intercalibration with Crab spectrum
    • WFC + GRBM detections of GRB
    • Data analysis and intercalibration
• Astrophysics of Gamma-Ray Bursts with the GRBM
  • Astronomy of cosmic gamma-ray burst
    • Observations
      • Morphology and duration distribution
      • Angular distribution
      • Peak intensity distribution
      • Spectral properties
    • Theory
      • Local origin
      • Extended galactic halo
      • Cosmological origin
  • The 1997 breakthrough in GRB astronomy: BeppoSAX results
    • Pre-SAX experimental scenario
    • Afterglow discovery
      • BeppoSAX detection and X-ray follow-up observation
    • Optical follow-up observation
      • Other wavelengths
      • The first measurement of a GRB distance: GRB970508
    • Further developments
      • The redshift and GRB971214
      • The intriguing GRB980425 and the Supernova Connection
  • Broad band spectral analysis of GRB with the GRBM
    • The GRBM + WFC events database
    • Average spectra
    • Spectral evolution
    • GRB960720: very fast spectral evolution
    • GRB970111: high statistics
    • GRB970228: the GRB-afterglow connection
  • GRBM observations and spectral analysis of
    SGR1900+14
    • Soft Gamma Repeaters
    • SGR1900+14
    • GRBM Observation
    • Spectral Analysis
      • Time-averaged Analysis
      • Time-resolved Analysis
    • Discussion
• Conclusions and future perspectives
  • Summary of Thesis work results
  • Work in progress
  • Future perspectives
• References
• Thesis work related publications
  • GRBM description, calibration, response function and data analysis
  • Astrophysical applications of GRBM response functions and data analysis techniques
  • GRB afterglows specific papers
  • Prompt GRB follow-up and SGR detections: IAU Circulars