Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Scientific paper
2011-01-21
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
27 pages, 5 figures
Scientific paper
It is proposed that the prompt emission observed in bursts that exhibit a thermal component originates from relativistic radiation mediated shocks that form below the photosphere of the GRB outflow. It is argue that such shocks are expected to form in luminous bursts via collisions of shells that propagate with moderate Lorentz factors $\Gamma\lesssim 500$. Faster shells will collide above the photosphere to form collisionless shocks. We demonstrate that in events like GRB 090902B a substantial fraction of the explosion energy is dissipated below the photosphere, in a region of moderate optical depth $\tau\lesssim300$, whereas in GRB 080916C the major fraction of the energy dissipates above the photosphere. We show that under conditions anticipated in many GRBs, such relativistic radiation mediated shocks convect enough radiation upstream to render photon production in the shock transition negligible, unlike the case of shock breakout in supernovae. The resulting spectrum, as measured in the shock frame, has a relatively low thermal peak, followed by a broad, nonthermal component extending up to the KN limit.
Bromberg Omer
Levinson A. A.
Mikolitzky Ziv
No associations
LandOfFree
Sub-Photospheric Emission from Relativistic Radiation Mediated Shocks in GRBs does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Sub-Photospheric Emission from Relativistic Radiation Mediated Shocks in GRBs, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Sub-Photospheric Emission from Relativistic Radiation Mediated Shocks in GRBs will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-642279