A theory of gamma-ray bursts based on resonant Compton scattering

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (12) References (61) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS A Theory of Gamma-Ray Bursts Based on Resonant Compton Scattering Vitello, Peter ; Dermer, Charles D. Abstract Photon spectra produced from the resonant Compton scattering of blackbody photons by a beam of energetic electrons and positrons are calculated. A range of surface temperatures near 1 keV and magnetic field strengths near 10 to the 12th G are studied for monoenergetic and power-law electron and positron source functions. Photon spectra similar to observed gamma-ray burst spectra are obtained for power-law beam injection functions with low-energy cutoffs. It is proposed that gamma-ray bursts are the resonant scattered emission of electron-positron pairs injected very close to the surface of a neutron star. Depending on the temperature and magnetic field, the mean free path for energy loss can be a fraction of the neutron star radius. The cyclotron features observed in gamma-ray burst spectra are due to complicated radiative transfer effects of photons with energies near the cyclotron fundamental and higher harmonics. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: June 1991 DOI: 10.1086/170152 Bibcode: 1991ApJ...374..668V Keywords: Black Body Radiation; Compton Effect; Gamma Ray Bursts; Magnetic Stars; Neutron Stars; Photons; Cyclotron Resonance; Electron Beams; Electron-Positron Pairs; Positrons; Radiative Transfer; Surface Temperature; Space Radiation; GAMMA RAYS: BURSTS; RADIATION MECHANISMS; STARS: MAGNETIC; STARS: NEUTRON full text sources ADS |