arXiv subjects

Ankush Banerjee

Publications and source records attributed to Ankush Banerjee.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2021

Magnetar Giant Flare Originated GRB 200415A: Transient GeV emission, Time-Resolved $\rm E_p~ -~L_{iso}$ Correlation, and Implications

Giant flares (GFs) are unusual bursts from soft gamma-ray repeaters (SGRs) that release an enormous amount of energy in a fraction of a second. The afterglow emission of these SGR-GFs or GF candidates is a highly beneficial means of discerning their composition, relativistic speed, and emission mechanisms. GRB 200415A is a recent GF candidate observed in a direction coincident with the nearby Sculptor galaxy at 3.5 Mpc. In this work, we searched for transient gamma-ray emission in past observations by Fermi-LAT in the direction of GRB 200415A. These observations confirm that GRB 200415A is observed as a transient GeV source only once. A pure pair-plasma fireball cannot provide the required energy for the interpretation of GeV afterglow emission and a baryonic poor outflow is additionally needed to explain the afterglow emission. A baryonic rich outflow is also viable, as it can explain the variability and observed quasi-thermal spectrum of the prompt emission if dissipation is happening below the photosphere via internal shocks. Using the peak energy ($E_p$) of the time-resolved prompt emission spectra and their fluxes ($F_p$), we found correlation between $E_p$ and $F_p$ or $E_p$ and isotropic luminosity $L_{\rm iso}$ for GRB 200415A. This supports the intrinsic nature of $E_p$-$E_{\rm iso}$ correlation found in SGRs-GFs, hence favoring a baryonic poor outflow. Our results also indicate a different mechanism at work during the initial spike, and that the evolution of the prompt emission spectral properties in this outflow would be intrinsically due to the injection process.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

MAGICal GRB 190114C: Implications of cutoff in the spectrum at sub-$GeV$ energies

GRB 190114C is an unusual gamma-ray burst (GRB) due to its detection at sub-$TeV$ energies by MAGIC, seen at redshift z = 0.42. This burst is one of the brightest GRB detected by \fermi. A joint GBM-LAT analysis of the prompt emission reveals the presence of sub-$GeV$ spectral cutoff when the LAT \emph{low-energy events} (LLE) data is also examined. A similar high-energy cutoff was likewise reported in GRB 160509A and GRB 100724B earlier, as well as handful of other sources. The cutoff can be explained by the intrinsic opacity due to pair production within the emitting region. GRB 190114C shows a transition from non-thermal to a quasi-thermal-like spectrum and a radiation component that can be attributed to afterglow. Based on spectral analysis, we constrain the site of the prompt emission and $Lorentz$ factor. Knowing that sub-$TeV$ photons are detected in MAGIC, we perceive that the observed spectrum is indeed an overlap from two emission sites, where the emission observed in \fermi is more consistent with prompt emission produced via photospheric dissipation along with a concurrent component from the external shock.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

Peculiar prompt emission and afterglow in H.E.S.S. detected GRB 190829A

We present the results of a detailed investigation of the prompt and afterglow emission in the HESS detected GRB 190829A. Swift and Fermi observations of the prompt phase of this GRB reveal two isolated sub-bursts or episodes, separated by a quiescent phase. The energetic and the spectral properties of the first episode are in stark contrast to the second. The first episode, which has a higher spectral peak of $\sim 120\:\text{keV}$ and a low isotropic energy $\sim 10^{50}\:\text{erg}$ is an outlier to the Amati correlation and marginally satisfies the Yonetoku correlation. However, the energetically dominant second episode has lower peak energy and is consistent with the above correlations. We compared this GRB to other low luminosity GRBs (LLGRBs). Prompt emission of LLGRBs also indicates a relativistic shock breakout origin of the radiation. For GRB 190829A, some of the properties of a shock breakout origin are satisfied. However, the absence of an accompanying thermal component and energy above the shock breakout critical limit precludes a shock breakout origin. In the afterglow, an unusual long-lasting late time flare of duration $\sim 10^4\:\text{s}$ is observed. We also analyzed the late-time \fermi-LAT emission that encapsulates the H.E.S.S. detection. Some of the LAT photons are likely to be associated with the source. All the above observational facts suggest GRB 190829A is a peculiar low luminosity GRB that is not powered by a shock breakout, and with an unusual rebrightening due to a patchy emission or a refreshed shock during the afterglow. Furthermore, our results show that TeV energy photons seem common in both high luminosity GRBs and LLGRBs.

astro-ph.HE↗