Abstract
We investigate the relationship between the quasi-thermal baryon-related photosphere in relativistic outflows and the internal shocks arising outside them, which out to a limiting radius may be able to create enough pairs to extend the optically thick region. Variable gamma-ray light curves are likely to arise outside this limiting pair-forming shock radius, while X-ray excess bursts may arise from shocks occurring below it; a possible relation to X-ray flashes is discussed. This model leads to a simple physical interpretation of the observational gamma-ray variability-luminosity relation.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 812-817 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Astrophysical Journal |
Volume | 578 |
Issue number | 2 I |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 20 2002 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science