Simulation of prompt emission from GRBs with a photospheric component and its detectability by GLAST

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of the GLAST satellite to detect photospheric components in gamma-ray burst spectra, using simulations to assess the observability of hybrid models in the prompt emission phase.

Contribution

It presents a simulation-based analysis of GLAST's capability to identify photospheric components in GRB prompt emission spectra, aiding in understanding GRB physics.

Findings

GLAST can detect photospheric components in typical GRBs

Simulations show distinguishable spectral features for hybrid models

The study enhances prospects for understanding GRB emission mechanisms

Abstract

The prompt emission from gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) still requires a physical explanation. Studies of time-resolved GRB spectra, observed in the keV-MeV range, show that a hybrid model consisting of two components, a photospheric and a non-thermal component, in many cases fits bright, single-pulsed bursts as well as, and in some instances even better than, the Band function. With an energy coverage from 8 keV up to 300 GeV, GLAST will give us an unprecedented opportunity to further investigate the nature of the prompt emission. In particular, it will give us the possibility to determine whether a photospheric component is the determining feature of the spectrum or not. Here we present a short study of the ability of GLAST to detect such a photospheric component in the sub-MeV range for typical bursts, using simulation tools developed within the GLAST science collaboration.