paper

Highlights from Fermi GRB observations

arXiv:1003.2452

Abstract

The Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope has more than doubled the number of Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) detected above 100 MeV within its first year of operation. Thanks to the very wide energy range covered by Fermi's Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM; 8 keV to 40 MeV) and Large Area Telescope (LAT; 25 MeV to >300 GeV) it has measured the prompt GRB emission spectrum over an unprecedentedly large energy range (from ~8 keV to ~30 GeV). Here I briefly outline some highlights from Fermi GRB observations during its first ~1.5 yr of operation, focusing on the prompt emission phase. Interesting new observations are discussed along with some of their possible implications, including: (i) What can we learn from the Fermi-LAT GRB detection rate, (ii) A limit on the variation of the speed of light with photon energy (for the first time beyond the Planck scale for a linear energy dependence from direct time of arrival measurements), (iii) Lower-limits on the bulk Lorentz factor of the GRB outflow (of ~1000 for the brightest Fermi LAT GRBs), (iv) The detection (or in other cases, lack thereof) of a distinct spectral component at high (and sometimes also at low) energies, and possible implications for the prompt GRB emission mechanism, (v) The later onset (and longer duration) of the high-energy emission (>100 MeV), compared to the low-energy (< ~1 MeV) emission, that is seen in most Fermi-LAT GRBs.

13 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables; to be published in the Proceedings of "The Shocking Universe - Gamma-Ray Bursts and High Energy Shock phenomena", Venice (Italy), September 14-18, 2009 (based on an invited talk there, but updated to include results up to the end of January 2010)

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