Observational Consequences of GRBs as Sources of Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays

TL;DR

This paper examines how gamma-ray bursts could produce ultra-high-energy cosmic rays by analyzing proton acceleration and interactions, and discusses observable signatures relevant for Fermi gamma-ray observations.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of hadronic and electromagnetic signatures of cosmic ray acceleration in GRBs, incorporating recent observational data from Fermi.

Findings

Proton acceleration in GRBs can produce detectable gamma-ray signatures.

Hadronic interactions significantly influence the gamma-ray emission spectra.

Implications for future high-energy gamma-ray observations are discussed.

Abstract

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) have long been considered as candidates of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs). We investigate the signatures of CR proton acceleration in the GRBs by consistently taking into account their hadronic and electromagnetic interactions. We discuss the implications of our findings for high-energy gamma ray observations with the recently launched Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope.