GRBs as ultra-high energy cosmic ray sources: clues from Fermi

TL;DR

This paper reviews how gamma-ray bursts could be sources of ultra-high energy cosmic rays, emphasizing the potential electromagnetic signatures detectable by the Fermi telescope to identify hadronic acceleration.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of the theoretical and observational aspects of UHECR acceleration in GRBs, focusing on Fermi data and energetics considerations.

Findings

Fermi observations can potentially reveal hadronic signatures in GRBs

Energetics constraints are critical for UHECR acceleration models

Review of current challenges and prospects in identifying UHECR sources in GRBs

Abstract

If gamma-ray bursts are sources of ultra-high energy cosmic rays, then radiative signatures of hadronic acceleration are expected in GRB data. Observations with the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope offer the best means to search for evidence of UHECRs in GRBs through electromagnetic channels. Various issues related to UHECR acceleration in GRBs are reviewed, with a focus on the question of energetics.