A Canonical High Energy Afterglow Emission Light Curve?

TL;DR

This paper predicts a canonical high energy afterglow emission light curve in GRBs based on self-consistent SSC and EIC radiation calculations, which can be tested by upcoming gamma-ray observations.

Contribution

It introduces a self-consistent model for high energy afterglow emission, linking X-ray features to gamma-ray signatures, and predicts observable high energy light curves.

Findings

A canonical high energy afterglow light curve is predicted.

EIC emission is long-lasting but weaker than SSC emission.

Detection by GLAST could provide insights into GRB emission regions.

Abstract

We present self consistent calculations of Synchrotron self Compton (SSC) radiation that takes place within the afterglow blast wave and External inverse Compton (EIC) radiation that takes place when flare photons (produced by an internal process) pass through the blast wave. We show that if our current interpretations of the Swift XRT data are correct, there should be a canonical high energy afterglow emission light curve. We expect that GRBs with a long term X-ray flattening or X-ray flares should show similar high energy features. The EIC emission, however, is long lasting and weak and might be outshined by the SSC emission of the forward shock. The high energy emission could be well detected by the soon to be launched GLAST satellite. Its detection could shed new light on the conditions within the emitting regions of GRBs.