Minimum Variability Time Scales of Long and Short GRBs

TL;DR

This study analyzes the variability time scales of long and short gamma-ray bursts using wavelet analysis, revealing differences in their variability characteristics and a relationship between minimum variability time and burst duration.

Contribution

It introduces an impartial wavelet analysis method to compare variability time scales in long and short GRBs, highlighting differences and correlations.

Findings

Long GRBs have different variability time scales than short GRBs.

Variability on the order of milliseconds is common.

A relationship exists between minimum variability time and burst duration.

Abstract

We have investigated the time variations in the light curves from a sample of long and short Fermi/GBM Gamma ray bursts (GRBs) using an impartial wavelet analysis. The results indicate that in the source frame, the variability time scales for long bursts differ from that for short bursts, that variabilities on the order of a few milliseconds are not uncommon, and that an intriguing relationship exists between the minimum variability time and the burst duration.