A New Correlation Between GRB X-Ray Flares And The Prompt Emission

TL;DR

This study reveals a strong correlation between the variability time scales of X-ray flares and prompt emission in GRBs, suggesting a shared origin for these phenomena based on analysis of data from Fermi and Swift.

Contribution

It introduces a new correlation between temporal features of GRB X-ray flares and prompt emission, indicating a common physical mechanism.

Findings

Strong correlation between variability time scales and pulse parameters.

Evidence supporting a shared origin for X-ray flares and prompt emission.

Analysis based on data from Fermi and Swift missions.

Abstract

From a sample of GRBs detected by the $Fermi$ and $Swift$ missions, we have extracted the minimum variability time scales for temporal structures in the light curves associated with the prompt emission and X-ray flares. A comparison of this variability time scale with pulse parameters such as rise times,determined via pulse-fitting procedures, and spectral lags, extracted via the cross-correlation function (CCF), indicate a tight correlation between these temporal features for both the X-ray flares and the prompt emission. These correlations suggests a common origin for the production of X-ray flares and the prompt emission in GRBs.