THESEUS and the high redshift universe

Abstract

Long-duration gamma-ray bursts (long-GRBs) can be detected throughout cosmic history and provide several unique insights into star-formation and galaxy evolution back to the era of reionization. They can be used to map star formation, identify galaxies across the luminosity function, determine detailed abundances even for the faintest of galaxies, quantify the escape fraction of ionizing radiation and track the progress of reionization. Fully exploiting these techniques requires a significant increase in the number of long-GRBs identified and characterised at $z\gtrsim6$, which can be achieved through a discovery mission with the capabilities of THESEUS, in combination with the powerful follow-up facilities that will be available in the 2030s.