What is the radiative process of the prompt phase of Gamma Ray Bursts?

TL;DR

This paper reviews the unresolved question of the radiative process responsible for the prompt emission in Gamma Ray Bursts, highlighting the challenges faced by synchrotron models and exploring alternative mechanisms.

Contribution

It critically examines existing models for GRB prompt emission, emphasizing the need for new insights into the radiation mechanism.

Findings

Synchrotron process faces significant theoretical challenges.

Alternative radiation mechanisms are under consideration but lack consensus.

Understanding the prompt phase remains a key open problem in GRB physics.

Abstract

Despite the dramatic improvement of our knowledge of the phenomenology of Gamma Ray Bursts, we still do not know several fundamental aspects of their physics. One of the puzzles concerns the nature of the radiative process originating the prompt phase radiation. Although the synchrotron process qualifies itself as a natural candidate, it faces severe problems, and many efforts have been done looking for alternatives. These, however, suffer from other problems, and there is no general consensus yet on a specific radiation mechanism.