Polarization of Gamma--Ray Burst Optical and Near-Infrared Afterglows

Abstract

Gamma-Ray Burst afterglow polarization measurements, in spite of their intrinsic difficulties, have been carried out for a number of events that begins to be adequate to draw some general statistical conclusions. Although the presence of some degree of intrinsic polarization seems to be well established, there are still open problems regarding the polarization time evolution and the possible contribution of polarization induced by dust in the host galaxies.

6 pages, 4 figures. Solicited talk at the meeting: "Gamma Ray Bursts in the afterglow era - Third workshop.", Rome, September 2002