GRB Theory in the Fermi Era

Abstract

Before the launch of the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope there were only a handful of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) detected at high energies (above 100 MeV), while several different suggestions have been made for possible high-energy emission sites and mechanisms. Here I briefly review some of the theoretical expectations for high-energy emission from GRBs, outline some of the hopes for improving our understanding of GRB physics through Fermi observations of the prompt GRB emission or the early afterglow (first few hours after the GRB), and summarize what we have learned so far from the existing Fermi GRB observations (over its first half-year of operation). Highlights include the first detection of > GeV emission from a short GRB, as well as detailed temporal and spectral information for the first GRB with > GeV emission and a measured redshift, that has the highest measured apparent (isotropic equivalent) radiated energy output (for any GRB), the largest lower limit on the bulk Lorentz factor of the emitting region, and constrains possible Lorentz invariance violation by placing a robust lower limit on the quantum gravity mass.