scholarly journals Gamma-Ray Burst Theory: Back to the Drawing Board

1994 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 863-868
Author(s):  
Alice K. Harding

AbstractGamma-ray bursts have always been intriguing sources to study in terms of particle acceleration, but not since their discovery two decades ago has the theory of these objects been in such turmoil. Prior to the launch of Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory and observations by BATSE, there was strong evidence pointing to magnetized Galactic neutron stars as the sources of gamma-ray bursts. However, since BATSE the observational picture has changed dramatically, requiring much more distant and possibly cosmological sources. I review the history of gamma-ray burst theory from the era of growing consensus for nearby neutron stars to the recent explosion of halo and cosmological models and the impact of the present confusion on the particle acceleration problem.Subject headings: acceleration of particles — gamma rays: bursts

1994 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 869-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor G. Mitrofanov

AbstractIs it shown that for those astronomical models of cosmic gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) which are associated with galactic neutron stars (NSs), the initial energy of the outburst could be converted to gamma-rays through processes of particle acceleration. The main emission mechanisms are considered for two basic alternatives, when particles are accelerated either by radiative pressure or by an electric field.Subject headings: acceleration of particles — gamma rays: bursts — radiation mechanisms: nonthermal


1998 ◽  
Vol 188 ◽  
pp. 159-162
Author(s):  
Gerald J. Fishman

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) will be recorded as one of the outstanding new phenomena discovered in astronomy this century. About once per day, a burst of gamma rays appears from a random direction on the sky. Often, the burst outshines all other sources of gamma-rays in the sky, combined. This paper reviews some of the key observed phenomenon of bursts in the hard x-ray/gamma-ray region, as observed with the BATSE experiment on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory. The observed time profiles, spectral properties and durations of gamma-ray bursts cover a wide range. Recent breakthroughs in the observation of gamma-ray burst counterparts and afterglows in other wavelength regions have marked the beginning of a new era in gamma-ray burst research. Those observations are described in following papers in these proceedings.


Author(s):  
Paula M Chadwick

Very high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray astronomy has undergone a transformation in the last few years, with telescopes of unprecedented sensitivity having greatly expanded the source catalogue. Such progress makes the detection of a gamma-ray burst at the highest energies much more likely than previously. This paper describes the facilities currently operating and their chances for detecting gamma-ray bursts, and reviews predictions for VHE gamma-ray emission from gamma-ray bursts. Results to date are summarized.


1987 ◽  
Vol 125 ◽  
pp. 477-487
Author(s):  
W. Doyle Evans ◽  
John G. Laros

Gamma-ray bursts are generally believed to originate in the vicinity of neutron stars, but the phenomenology is still not understood. In this paper we review the known characteristics of gamma bursts and give new observational results on temporal and spectral properties. We suggest that a class of repeating bursters exists that are spectrally harder than x-ray bursters but significantly softer than “classical” gamma bursts. The March 5, 1979, burst may be the prototype of this class of bursters.


2007 ◽  
Vol 21 (03n04) ◽  
pp. 627-632
Author(s):  
G. BARBIELLINI ◽  
F. LONGO ◽  
N. OMODEI ◽  
D. GIULIETTI ◽  
A. CELOTTI ◽  
...  

Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) prompt emission can, for specific conditions, be so powerful and short-pulsed to strongly influence any surrounding plasma. In this paper, we briefly discuss the possibility that a very intense initial burst of radiation produced by GRBs satisfy the intensity and temporal conditions to cause stochastic wake-field particle acceleration in a surrounding plasma of moderate density. We consider a simple but realistic GRB model for which particle wake-field acceleration can first be excited by a very strong low-energy precursor, and then be effective in producing the observed prompt X-ray and gamma-ray GRB emission.


1976 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 243-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ju. M. Bruk ◽  
K. I. Kugel

1989 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-37
Author(s):  
D. Hartmann ◽  
R.I. Epstein ◽  
S.E. Woosley

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (S290) ◽  
pp. 263-264
Author(s):  
Liang Li ◽  
En-Wei Liang ◽  
He Gao ◽  
Bing Zhang

AbstractWell-sampled optical lightcurves of 146 gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are compiled from literature. We identify possible emission components based on our empirical fits and present statistical analysis for these components. We find that the flares are related to prompt emission, suggesting that they could have the same origin in different episodes. The shallow decay segment is not correlated with prompt gamma-rays. It likely signals a long-lasting injected wind from GRB central engines. Early after onset peak is closely related with prompt emission. The ambient medium density profile is likely n ∝ r−1. No correlation between the late re-brightening bump and prompt gamma-rays or the onset bump is found. They may be from another jet component.


2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (09) ◽  
pp. 1319-1332
Author(s):  
PETER MÉSZÁROS

Gamma-ray bursts are capable of accelerating cosmic rays up to GZK energies Ep ~ 1020 eV, which can lead to a flux at Earth comparable to that observed by large EAS arrays such as Auger. The semi-relativistic outflows inferred in GRB-related hypernovae are also likely sources of somewhat lower energy cosmic rays. Leptonic processes, such as synchrotron and inverse Compton, as well as hadronic processes, can lead to GeV-TeV gamma-rays measurable by GLAST, AGILE, or ACTs, providing useful probes of the burst physics and model parameters. Photo-meson interactions also produce neutrinos at energies ranging from sub-TeV to EeV, which will be probed with forthcoming experiments such as IceCube, ANITA and KM3NeT. This would provide information about the fundamental interaction physics, the acceleration mechanism, the nature of the sources and their environment.


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