Linear polarization on Gamma-Ray Bursts: from the prompt to the late afterglow

Abstract

The past year has witnessed a large increase in our knowledge of the polarization properties of Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) radiation. In the prompt phase, the measurement (albeit highly debated) of a large degree of linear polarization in GRB 021206 has stimulated a deep theoretical study of polarization from GRB jets. The optical afterglow of GRB 030329, on the other hand, has been followed thoroughly in polarimetric mode, allowing for an unprecedented sampling of its polarization curve. I will review the present status of theories and observations of polarization in GRBs, focusing on how polarimetric observations and their modelling can give us informations on the structure and magnetisation o GRB jets which is not possible to obtain from their light curve.