Gamma-Ray Bursts as Sources of Strong Magnetic Fields

TL;DR

This review explores the role of magnetic fields in Gamma-Ray Bursts, covering their origins, influence on jet dynamics, emission processes, and afterglow phenomena, highlighting recent advances in understanding these extreme cosmic events.

Contribution

It synthesizes recent developments on magnetic field roles in GRBs, providing a comprehensive overview of their influence from central engines to afterglow emissions.

Findings

Magnetic fields are crucial in jet launching and collimation.

Recent studies reveal new insights into magnetic dissipation mechanisms.

Magnetic fields significantly impact gamma-ray emission and afterglow properties.

Abstract

Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) are the strongest explosions in the Universe, which due to their extreme character likely involve some of the strongest magnetic fields in nature. This review discusses the possible roles of magnetic fields in GRBs, from their central engines, through the launching, acceleration and collimation of their ultra-relativistic jets, to the dissipation and particle acceleration that power their $\gamma$-ray emission, and the powerful blast wave they drive into the surrounding medium that generates their long-lived afterglow emission. An emphasis is put on particular areas in which there have been interesting developments in recent years.