To Power the X-Ray Plateaus of Gamma-Ray Bursts through Larger Amplitude Electromagnetic Waves

Abstract

Abstract The origin of the gamma-ray burst (GRB) X-ray plateau, especially the internal plateau, is still unclear, but it could be related to a GRB’s magnetar central engine. It is generally believed that the spin-down power of the magnetar is injected into forward external shock; however, we propose here that most of the power will be dissipated behind the GRB jet through a larger amplitude electromagnetic wave. Based on this proposal, the relevant physical conditions and observational implications are analyzed and discussed, and various kinds of X-ray light curves could be reproduced. Although the chromatic multiband afterglow in the standard external afterglow fireball model is still a matter of debate, we can naturally explain this feature through this proposal, i.e., the electrons generating the X-ray plateau and emitting the optical afterglow are accelerated by different mechanisms. It is emphasized that both the GRB jet and the spin-down wind should have significant observational consequences in the magnetar scenario, and should be focused equally in GRB physics.