A plasma instability theory of prompt gamma-ray burst radiation
Abstract
A new theory for converting the kinetic energy of a relativistic shell into radiation is discussed. In the theory, plasma instabilities arise from the relativistic streaming of two plasmas, producing a magnetic field and a relativistic distribution of electrons. The electrons produce synchrotron self-Compton radiation, which accounts for the prompt gamma-ray emission. For sufficiently high values of the bulk-motion Lorentz factor, the kinetic energy of the shell is efficiently converted into electromagnetic radiation. The processes present in this theory do not produce a shock. .
- Publication:
-
Gamma-ray Bursts, 5th Huntsville Symposium
- Pub Date:
- September 2000
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.1361580
- arXiv:
- arXiv:astro-ph/9904040
- Bibcode:
- 2000AIPC..526..455B
- Keywords:
-
- 98.62.Nx;
- 98.70.Rz;
- 98.62.Ra;
- Jets and bursts;
- galactic winds and fountains;
- gamma-ray sources;
- gamma-ray bursts;
- Intergalactic matter;
- quasar absorption and emission-line systems;
- Lyman forest;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- Submitted to the Astrophysical Journal. Article has 26 pages with 8 embedded figures