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| Paper: |
The Search for Relativistic Curvature Effects in GRB Light Curves |
| Volume: |
312, Third Rome Workshop on Gamma-Ray Bursts in the Afterglow Era |
| Page: |
86 |
| Authors: |
Kocevski, D.; Ryde, F.; Liang, E. |
| Abstract: |
We analyze the time profiles of individual gamma-ray burst (GRB) pulses that are longer than 2 s by performing analytical fits that are derived from the empirical descriptions of GRB spectral evolution. Using this method we have fit a sample of 78 individual GRB pulses, allowing us to examine the fluence, pulse width, asymmetry, and rise and decay power law distributions. We compare these parameters with those predicted to occur if individual pulse shapes are created by relativistic curvature effects in the fireball model, a process that makes specific predictions about the shape of GRB light curve. We find that the measured decay slope distribution is steeper than predicted, but exhibits a cut-off near the predicted value. We also find that the fundamental GRB shape is highly asymmetric, with this asymmetry being independent of pulse duration. We discuss several mechanisms that would cause these behaviors. |
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