First Detection of Radio Linear Polarization of GRB Afterglow.

We report the first detection of radio polarization of a GRB afterglow with the first intensive combined use of telescopes in the millimeter and submillimeter ranges for GRB171205A. The linear polarization degree in the millimeter band at the sub-percent level ($0.27 pm 0.03%$) is lower than those observed in late-time optical afterglows (weighted average of $sim 1%$). The Faraday depolarization by non-accelerated, cool electrons in the shocked region is one of the most likely mechanisms for the low value. In this scenario, larger total energy by a factor of $sim 10$ than ordinary estimate without considering non-accelerated electrons is required. The variation of the position angle along with wavelength is not inconsistent with this scenario. This result indicates that polarimetry in the millimeter and submillimeter ranges is a unique tool for investigating GRB energetics, and coincident observations with multiple frequencies or bands would provide more accurate measurements of the non-accelerated electron fraction.