Gravitational waves from precessing engines in GRBs

Abstract

In the framework of a transient accretion disk at the core of a gamma-ray burst we compute possible periods of Lense-Thirring precession. Next, we evaluate the putative gravitational waves associated with such dynamical setup. Assuming a characteristic time-profile for the gamma-ray emission of a disk-jet system, we obtain light-curves presenting a time microstructure similar to that reported in some GRB events. After adjustment of the parameters out of two specific GRBs we evaluate the detectability of the gravitational waves produced by the precession of this accretion disk. As a conclusion, our analysis shows that some GRBs are likely to be probed with Advanced LIGO.

8 pages, 3 figures. Accepted for publication in the Proceedings of the 25th Texas Symposium on Relativistic Astrophysics, held in Heidelberg, December 06-10, 2010