Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jun 2004
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004aspc..312..449l&link_type=abstract
Third Rome Workshop on Gamma-Ray Bursts in the Afterglow Era ASP Conference Series, Volume 312, Proceedings of the conference he
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
4
Scientific paper
We study the dynamics of relativistic electromagnetic explosions as a possible mechanism for the production of Gamma-Ray Bursts. We propose that a rotating relativistic stellar-mass progenitor loses much of its spin energy in the form of an electromagnetically-dominated outflow. After the flow becomes optically thin, it forms a relativistically expanding, non-spherically symmetric magnetic bubble - a ''cold fireball''. We analyze the structure and dynamics of such a cavity in the force-free approximation. During relativistic expansion, most of the magnetic energy in the bubble is concentrated in a thin shell near its surface (contact discontinuity). We suggest that either the polar current or the shell currents become unstable to electromagnetic instabilities at a radius ˜1016 cm. This leads to acceleration of pairs and causes the γ-ray emission. At larger radii the momentum contained in the electromagnetic shell will have been largely transferred to the surrounding blast wave propagating into the circumstellar medium. Particles accelerated at the fluid shock may combine with electromagnetic field from the electromagnetic shell to produce the afterglow emission.
Blandford Roger
Lyutikov Maxim
No associations
LandOfFree
Electromagnetic Outflows and 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 Electromagnetic Outflows and GRBs, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electromagnetic Outflows and GRBs will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-891128