Problems in the analysis of gamma-ray burst spectra

Journal Article · Fri Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1982 · Adv. Space Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0273-1177(83)90032-7· OSTI ID:6302783

Fenimore, E E; Klebesadel, R W; Laros, J G

Gamma-ray spectra of burst GB800419 (on Apr. 19, 1980) obtained with the SMM Goddard hard-X-ray burst spectrometer and with ISEE-3 are intercompared, with a focus on the effects of the spectrum-unfolding techniques employed. It is shown that the cyclotron absorption lines in the SMM spectrum (at around 65 keV), not present in the ISEE-3 spectrum, are probably an artifact of the optically-thin-thermal-bremsstrahlung spectral shape presupposed in the SMM unfolding process, since they disappear when an exponential shape presupposed in the SMM unfolding process since they disappear when an exponential shape is used to fit the data. Any narrow absorption, features appearing in the 50-keV region of the SMM spectra when harder spectral shapes (such as those consistent with a Comptonized-black-body mechanism) are used in the unfolding remain in disagreement with the ISEE-3 findings. It is pointed out that all of the instruments used are prone to errors in the 45-65-keV range.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM
• OSTI ID: 6302783
• Journal Information: Adv. Space Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Adv. Space Res.; (United States) Vol. 3; ISSN ASRSD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640101* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Cosmic Radiation
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BASIC INTERACTIONS
BREMSSTRAHLUNG
COMPTON EFFECT
COSMIC GAMMA BURSTS
COSMIC RADIATION
CYCLOTRON RADIATION
ELASTIC SCATTERING
ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERACTIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GAMMA SPECTRA
INTERACTIONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
PRIMARY COSMIC RADIATION
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIATIONS
SCATTERING
SCINTILLATION COUNTERS
SPECTRA
THERMAL RADIATION