# A Turbulent Model of Gamma-Ray Burst Variability

 Title: A Turbulent Model of Gamma-Ray Burst Variability Author: Narayan, Ramesh; Kumar, Pawan Note: Order does not necessarily reflect citation order of authors. Citation: Narayan, Ramesh, and Pawan Kumar. 2009. A turbulent model of gamma-ray burst variability. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters 394(1): L117–L120. Full Text & Related Files: turbulent_model_of_gamma_ray.pdf (101.2Kb; PDF) Abstract: A popular paradigm to explain the rapid temporal variability observed in gamma-ray burst (GRB) light curves is the internal shock model. We propose an alternative model in which the radiating fluid in the GRB shell is relativistically turbulent with a typical eddy Lorentz factor $$\gamma_t$$. In this model, all pulses in the gamma-ray light curve are produced at roughly the same distance $$R$$ from the centre of the explosion. The burst duration is $$\sim R/c \Gamma^2$$, where $$\Gamma$$ is the bulk Lorentz factor of the expanding shell, and the duration of individual pulses in the light curve is $$\sim R/c \Gamma^2{\gamma^2}_t$$. The model naturally produces highly variable light curves with $$\sim {\gamma^2}_t$$ individual pulses. Even though the model assumes highly inhomogeneous conditions, nevertheless the efficiency for converting jet energy to radiation is high. Published Version: doi:10.1111/j.1745-3933.2009.00624.x Other Sources: http://arxiv.org/abs/0812.0018 Terms of Use: This article is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Other Posted Material, as set forth at http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:dash.current.terms-of-use#LAA Citable link to this page: http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:9282600

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