Physics of Gamma-Ray Bursts Prompt Emission

Understand

In recent years, our understanding of gamma-ray bursts (GRB) prompt emission has been revolutionized, due to a combination of new instruments, new analysis methods and novel ideas.

• In this review, I describe the most recent observational results and the current theoretical interpretation.
• Observationally, a major development is the rise of time-resolved spectral analysis.
• These led to (I) identification of a distinguished high energy component, with GeV photons often seen at a delay; and (II) firm evidence for the existence of a photospheric (thermal) component in a large number of bursts.