[32.13] Relativistic Jets in Collapsars

AAS 200th meeting, Albuquerque, NM, June 2002
Session 32. Core-Collapse of Massive Stars: Supernovae and Gamma-Ray Bursts
Topical Session Oral, Tuesday, June 4, 2002, 8:30-10:00am, 10:45am-12:30pm, 2:00-3:30pm, 3:45-5:30pm, Ballroom C

[Previous] | [Session 32] | [Next]

[32.13] Relativistic Jets in Collapsars

W. Zhang, S. Woosley (UC, Santa Cruz)

We examine the propagation of multi-dimensional relativistic jets through the stellar progenitor in the collapsar model for gamma-ray bursts. In agreement with previous studies, we find that the jet is collimated by its passage through the stellar mantle. Interaction of the jet with the star causes mixing with nearly stationary material that sporadically decelerates the jet, leading to a highly variable Lorentz factor. The jet that finally emerges has a moderate Lorentz factor but a very large internal energy loading. Conversion of the remaining internal energy gives terminal Lorentz factors of approximately 150 for the initial conditions chosen. Implications of our calculations for GRB light curves, the luminosity-variablity relation, the GRB-supernova association, and a possible general model for GRB jets are discussed.

The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: zhang@ucolick.org

[Previous] | [Session 32] | [Next]