Constraints on the ultra-high energy cosmic ray output of gamma-ray bursts

TL;DR

This paper investigates whether low-luminosity gamma-ray bursts can account for the observed ultra-high energy cosmic rays, finding they can contribute only a limited amount based on current flux constraints.

Contribution

It provides a quantitative analysis of the contribution of low-luminosity gamma-ray bursts to ultra-high energy cosmic rays, establishing an upper limit on their acceleration capacity.

Findings

Low-luminosity gamma-ray bursts can accelerate at most 10^{-13} solar masses of cosmic rays.

Theoretical flux from these bursts is consistent with observed cosmic ray flux within this limit.

Analysis based on data from BeppoSAX, INTEGRAL, and Swift (1998-2016).

Abstract

Ultra-high energy cosmic rays are the most extreme energetic particles detected on Earth, however, their acceleration sites are still mysterious. We explore the contribution of low-luminosity gamma-ray bursts to the ultra-high energy cosmic ray flux, since they form the bulk of the nearby population. We analyse a representative sample of these bursts detected by BeppoSAX, INTEGRAL and Swift between 1998-2016, and found that in order to reconcile our theoretical flux with the observed flux, these bursts should accelerate at most $10^{-13}$ M$_\odot$ of ultra-high energy cosmic rays.