Gamma-ray Bursts Induced by Turbulent Reconnection

Abstract

We consider a simple model for gamma-ray bursts induced by magnetic reconnection in turbulent media. The magnetic field in a jet is subject to kink instabilities, which distort the regular structure of the spiral magnetic field, drive turbulence, and trigger reconnection. The resulting reconnection takes place in a high Reynolds number medium, where turbulence is further enhanced and in turn accelerates the reconnection process. This boot-strap reconnection gives rise to bursts of reconnection events, through which the free energy of magnetic field is transformed into a gamma-ray burst. The efficiency of magnetic reconnection and magnetic energy dissipation is not constrained by microphysical properties of plasmas.