Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most luminous explosions in the universe, which within seconds release energy comparable to what the Sun releases in its entire lifetime. The field of GRBs has developed rapidly and matured over the past decades. Written by a leading researcher, this text presents a thorough treatment of every aspect of the physics of GRBs. It starts with an overview of the field and an introduction to GRB phenomenology. After laying out the basics of relativity, relativistic shocks, and leptonic and hadronic radiation processes, the volume covers all topics related to GRBs, including a general theoretical framework, afterglow and prompt emission models, progenitor, central engine, multi-messenger aspects (cosmic rays, neutrinos, and gravitational waves), cosmological connections, and broader impacts on fundamental physics and astrobiology. It is suitable for advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and experienced researchers in the field of GRBs and high-energy astrophysics in general.
Author(s): Bing Zhang
Edition: 1
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Year: 2018
frontmatter
contents
foreword
preface
01 introduction
02 grb-phenomenology
03 relativity
04 relativistic-shocks
05 leptonic-processes
06 hadronic-processes
07 basic-theoretical-framework
08 afterglow-physics
09 prompt-emission-physics
10 progenitor
11 central-engine
12 non-electromagnetic signals
13 cosmological-context
14 other-topics
references
index
plates
