GAMMA-RAY BURSTS AND THE FIRST STARS

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) triggered by the death of the first stars promise to provide a powerful probe into the state of the high-redshift universe. I will review the basic physics of how the first stars formed, evaluating whether they are suitable GRB progenitors. After providing estimates of the high-redshift GRB number density, I will discuss the utility of such bursts in probing the ionization state, and the degree of metal enrichment, of the early intergalactic medium. The prospects for these studies are bright, provided that we can fly a dedicated mission that combines a gamma-ray detector with on-board near-infrared capabilities.