Related papers: A new method of determining the initial size and L…
We study the properties of a significant thermal emission component that was identified in 47 GRBs observed by different instruments. Within the framework of the "fireball" model, we deduce the values of the Lorentz factor Gamma, and the…
Recent analyses show evidence for a thermal emission component that accompanies the non-thermal emission during the prompt phase of GRBs. First, we show the evidence for the existence of this component; Second, we show that this component…
The properties of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) that are inferred from observations depend on the value of the bulk Lorentz factor, $\Gamma$. Consequently, accurately estimating it is an important aim. In this work, we present a method of…
We perform time-resolved spectroscopy on the prompt emission in gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and identify a thermal, photospheric component peaking at a temperature of a few hundreds keV. This peak does not necessarily coincide with the broad…
We present in this paper an approach to estimate the initial Lorentz factor of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) without referring to the delayed emission of the early afterglow. Under the assumption that the afterglow of the bursts concerned occurs…
GRB spectra appear non-thermal, but recent observations of a few bursts with Fermi GBM have confirmed previous indications from BATSE of the presence of an underlying thermal component. Photospheric emission is indeed expected when the…
In recent years, there are increasing evidence for a thermal emission component that accompanies the overall non-thermal spectra of the prompt emission phase in GRBs. Both the temperature and flux of the thermal emission show a well defined…
Knowledge of the bulk Lorentz factor $\Gamma_{0}$ of GRBs allows us to compute their comoving frame properties shedding light on their physics. Upon collisions with the circumburst matter, the fireball of a GRB starts to decelerate,…
The jet composition and radiative efficiency of GRBs are poorly constrained from the data. If the jet composition is matter-dominated (i.e. a fireball), the GRB prompt emission spectra would include a dominant thermal component originating…
Photospheric emission may originate from relativistic outflows in two qualitatively different regimes:\ last scattering of photons inside the outflow at the photospheric radius, or radiative diffusion to the boundary of the outflow. In this…
Photospheric (thermal) emission is inherent to the gamma-ray burst (GRB) "fireball" model. We show here, that inclusion of this component in the analysis of the GRB prompt emission phase naturally explains some of the prompt GRB spectra…
It is proposed that the gamma ray burst photons near the peak of the spectrum at several hundred KeV are produced on very compact scales, where photon production is limited by blackbody effects and/or the requirement of energetic quanta…
We propose a direct and model-independent method to constrain the Lorentz factor of a relativistically expanding object, like gamma-ray bursts. Only the measurements, such as thermal component of the emission, the distance and the variable…
We investigate, independently of specific emission models, the constraints on the value of the bulk Lorentz factor Gamma of a fireball. We assume that the burst emission comes from internal shocks in a region transparent to Thomson…
The initial Lorentz factor ($\Gamma_{\text{0}}$) plays a crucial role in uncovering the physical characteristics of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Previous studies have indicated that the ambient medium density index $k$ for GRBs falls in the…
We develop two methods to estimate the bulk Lorentz factor of X-ray flare outflow. In the first method the outflow is assumed to be baryonic and is accelerated by the thermal pressure, for which the final bulk Lorentz factor is limited by…
{\it Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope} observations of GRB110721A have revealed two emission components from the relativistic jet: emission from the photosphere, peaking at $\sim 100$ keV and a non-thermal component, which peaks at $\sim…
A major breakthrough in our understanding of gamma-ray bursts (GRB) prompt emission physics occurred in the last few years, with the realization that a thermal component accompanies the over-all non-thermal prompt spectra. This thermal part…
The physical composition of the ejecta of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) remains an open question. The radiation mechanism of the prompt gamma rays is also in debate. This problem can be solved for the bursts hosting distinct thermal radiation.…
We intend to determine the type of circumburst medium and measure directly the initial Lorentz factor $\Gamma_0$ of GRB outflows. If the early X-ray afterglow lightcurve has a peak and the whole profile across the peak is consistent with…