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On the Time Evolution of Gamma-Ray Burst Pulses: A Self-Consistent Description
The Astrophysical Journal
|December 30, 1999
Summary
This study combines two gamma-ray burst (GRB) empirical relations to describe pulse decay. A significant portion of GRB pulses exhibit a reciprocal time decay, offering a new model for their spectral-temporal evolution.
Area of Science:
- Astrophysics
- High-energy astrophysics
- Gamma-ray burst physics
Background:
- Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) exhibit complex spectral evolution.
- Two key empirical relations govern GRB pulse behavior: hardness-intensity and hardness-photon fluence correlations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the consequences of combining established GRB empirical relations.
- To develop a self-consistent model for GRB pulse decay phases.
Main Methods:
- Combining the hardness-intensity and hardness-photon fluence correlations.
- Analyzing a sample of 83 bright GRB pulses from the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory.
- Identifying GRB pulses that satisfy the derived spectral-temporal behavior.
Main Results:
- A quantitative description for GRB pulse decay is derived.
- Instantaneous photon flux follows a 1/(1+t/τ) behavior when both relations hold.
- Approximately 45% of analyzed GRB pulses exhibit this reciprocal time decay.
Conclusions:
- The combined empirical relations provide a compact description of GRB pulse decay.
- A significant subgroup of GRB pulses adheres to a reciprocal decay law.
- The underlying physics driving this specific decay phase remains undetermined.