A Simple Energy-Dependent Model for GRB Pulses with Interesting Physical Implications

TL;DR

This paper introduces a simple, energy-dependent mathematical model for GRB pulses that effectively fits observational data and has potential implications for understanding the physical processes behind gamma-ray bursts.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel, orthogonal energy-dependent model for GRB pulses that simplifies fitting across energy channels with fewer parameters than traditional methods.

Findings

Model fits several known GRB pulses well

Energy components are orthogonal, simplifying analysis

Temporal shape characterized by Planck distribution

Abstract

A simple mathematical model for GRB pulses is postulated in both time and energy. The model breaks GRB pulses up into component functions, one general light curve function exclusively in the time dimension and four component functions exclusively in the energy dimension. Each component function of energy is effectively orthogonal to the other energy-component functions. The model is a good statistical fit to several of the most fluent separable GRB pulses known. Even without theoretical interpretation, the model may be immediately useful for fitting prompt emission from GRB pulses across energy channels with a minimal number of free parameters, sometimes far fewer than freshly fitting a GRB pulse in every energy band separately. Some theoretical implications of the model might be particularly interesting, however, as the temporal component (e.g. the shape of the light curve) is well characterized mathematically by the well known Planck distribution.