The "Supercritical Pile" GRB Model: Afterglows and GRB, XRR, XRF Unification

Details The "Supercritical Pile" GRB Model: Afterglows and GRB, XRR, XRF Unification The "Supercritical Pile" GRB Model: Afterglows and GRB, XRR, XRF Unification

2006-12-01

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0612046v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

8 pages, 4 figures

Scientific paper

10.1063/1.2757400

We present the general notions and observational consequences of the "Supercritical Pile" GRB model; the fundamental feature of this model is a detailed process for the conversion of the energy stored in relativistic protons in the GRB Relativistic Blast Waves (RBW) into relativistic electrons and then into radiation. The conversion is effected through the $p \gamma \to p e^+e^-$ reaction, whose kinematic threshold is imprinted on the GRB spectra to provide a peak of their emitted luminosity at energy \Ep $\sim 1$ MeV in the lab frame. We extend this model to include, in addition to the (quasi--)thermal relativistic post-shock protons an accelerated component of power law form. This component guarantees the production of $e^+e^- -$pairs even after the RBW has slowed down to the point that its (quasi--)thermal protons cannot fulfill the threshold of the above reaction. We suggest that this last condition marks the transition from the prompt to the afterglow GRB phase. We also discuss conditions under which this transition is accompanied by a significant drop in the flux and could thus account for several puzzling, recent observations. Finally, we indicate that the same mechanism applied to the late stages of the GRB evolution leads to a decrease in \Ep $\propto \Gamma^2(t)\propto t^{-3/4}$, a feature amenable to future observational tests.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The "Supercritical Pile" GRB Model: Afterglows and GRB, XRR, XRF Unification 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 The "Supercritical Pile" GRB Model: Afterglows and GRB, XRR, XRF Unification, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The "Supercritical Pile" GRB Model: Afterglows and GRB, XRR, XRF Unification will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-671586