Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Scientific paper
2010-03-05
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
14 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication by MNRAS
Scientific paper
The curvature of a relativistic blast wave implies that its emission arrives to observers with a spread in time. This effect is believed to wash out fast variability in the lightcurves of GRB afterglows. We note that the spreading effect is reduced if emission is anisotropic in the rest-frame of the blast wave (i.e. if emission is limb-brightened or limb-darkened). In particular, synchrotron emission is almost certainly anisotropic, and may be strongly anisotropic, depending on details of electron acceleration in the blast wave. Anisotropic afterglows can display fast and strong variability at high frequencies (above the 'fast-cooling' frequency). This may explain the existence of bizarre features in the X-ray afterglows of GRBs, such as sudden drops and flares. We also note that a moderate anisotropy can significantly delay the 'jet break' in the lightcurve, which makes it harder to detect.
Beloborodov Andrei M.
Daigne Frederic
Mochkovitch Robert
Uhm Lucas Z.
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