13 research outputs found
Observational Constraints on the Angular and Spectral Distributions of Photons in Gamma-Ray Burst Sources
The typical spectra of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are discussed in the context
of the compactness problem for GRB sources and how it is resolved in the
popular fireball model. In particular, observational (model-independent)
constraints on the collimation of the gamma-rays and the dependence of the
collimation angle on the photon energy are considered. The fact that the
threshold for the creation of pairs depends on the angle between
the momenta of the annihilating photons in the GRB source provides an
alternative solution to the compactness problem. A new approach to explaining
GRBs, taking into account the angular dependence for pair creation, is
proposed, and the main features of a scenario describing a GRB source with a
total (photon) energy smaller or of the order of erg are laid out.
Thus, we are dealing with an alternative to an ultra-relativistic fireball, if
it turns out (as follows from observations) that all "long" GRBs are associated
with normal (not peculiar) core-collapse supernovae. The effects of radiation
pressure and the formation of jets as a consequence of even a small amount of
anisotropy in the total radiation field in a (compact) GRB source are examined
in this alternative model. Possible energy release mechanisms acting in regions
smaller or of the order of cm in size (a compact model for a GRB) are
discussed. New observational evidence for such compact energy release in the
burst source is considered.Comment: 15 pages, no figures, no table