Abstract
Being the most extreme explosions in the universe, gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) provide a unique laboratory to study various plasma physics phenomena. The complex light curve and broad-band, non-thermal spectra indicate a very complicated system on the one hand, but, on the other hand, provide a wealth of information to study it. In this chapter, I focus on recent progress in some of the key unsolved physical problems. These include: (1) particle acceleration and magnetic field generation in shock waves; (2) possible role of strong magnetic fields in accelerating the plasmas, and accelerating particles via the magnetic reconnection process; (3) various radiative processes that shape the observed light curve and spectra, both during the prompt and the afterglow phases, and finally (4) GRB environments and their possible observational signature.
Highlights
Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most extreme explosions known since the big bang, releasing as much as 1055 erg in a few seconds, in the form of gamma rays [1]
Studies of the afterglow phase by themselves lead to several very interesting plasma physics phenomena which are not well understood, and are at the forefront of current research. These include (1) the physics of relativistic shock waves, both propagation and stability; (2) particle acceleration to non-thermal distributions; (3) generation of strong magnetic fields; and (4) radiative processes that lead to the observed spectra
In addition to the existence of clear evidence that shock waves in GRBs serve as particle acceleration sites, there is a wealth of evidence for the existence of strong magnetic fields in GRBs
Summary
Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most extreme explosions known since the big bang, releasing as much as 1055 erg (isotropically equivalent) in a few seconds, in the form of gamma rays [1]. Studies of the afterglow phase by themselves lead to several very interesting plasma physics phenomena which are not well understood, and are at the forefront of current research These include (1) the physics of relativistic shock waves, both propagation and stability; (2) particle acceleration to non-thermal distributions; (3) generation of strong magnetic fields; and (4) radiative processes that lead to the observed spectra. Combined with the different conditions during the afterglow phase, one can conclude that GRBs provide a unique laboratory to study various fundamental questions in plasma physics These are related to the creation of magnetic fields, acceleration of particles, emission of radiation and the interaction between all these three fields. I very briefly consider the different environments into which GRBs may explode and their effects in Section 5 before concluding the paper
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