Dynamic Monte Carlo Simulations of Radiatively Accelerated GRB Fireballs

Understand

We present a novel Dynamic Monte Carlo code (DynaMo code) which self-consistently simulates the Compton scattering driven dynamic evolution of a plasma.

• We use the DynaMo code to investigate the time-dependent expansion and acceleration of dissipationless GRB fireballs by varying their initial opacities and baryonic content.
• We study the opacity and energy density evolution of an initially optically thick, radiation-dominated fireball across its entire phase space - in particular during the $R_{\rm ph} < R_{\rm sat}$ regime.
• Our results reveal new phases of fireball evolution: a transition phase with a radial extent of several orders of magnitude - the fireball transitions from $\Gamma \propto R$ to $\Gamma \propto R^0$, a post-photopsheric acceleration phase - where fireballs accelerate beyond the photosphere, and a Thomson-dominated acceleration phase - characterized by slow acceleration of optically thick, matter-dominated fireballs due to Thomson scattering.