Particle Acceleration in Gamma-Ray Bursts

Abstract

SummarySimple kinematic theories of particle acceleration at relativistic shocks lead to the prediction of a high-energy spectral index of −1.1 for the energy flux of synchrotron photons. However, several effects can change this picture. In this paper I discuss the effect of magnetic field generation at the shock front and, by analogy with the Crab Nebula, suggest that an intrinsic break in the injection spectrum should be expected where the electron gyro radius is comparable to that of protons thermalized by the shock.