Single and binary stellar progenitors of long-duration gamma-ray bursts

Abstract

This review describes the most common theories behind long-duration gamma-ray burst progenitors. I discuss two astrophysical scenarios: the collapsar and the magnetar models. According to their requirements, the progenitor should be an envelope-free massive star with a fast rotating, collapsing iron core. Such an object, called a TWUIN star, may be produced by chemically homogeneous evolution either from a massive single star or a massive binary system. Various outcomes of this evolutionary path (e.g. supernova explosions and gravitational wave production) are also mentioned, and directions for future research are suggested. In the era of multi-messenger astronomy, my hope is to present a timely overview on how stellar astrophysicists are searching for progenitor models of long-duration gamma-ray bursts, and what they have found so far.