Estimates of Reverse Shock Emission from Short Gamma-ray Bursts

Abstract

We investigate the expected radio emission from the reverse shock of short GRBs, using the afterglow parameters derived from the observed short GRB light curves. In light of recent results suggesting that in some cases the radio afterglow is due to emission from the reverse shock, we examine the extent to which this component is detectable for short GRBs. In some GRBs, the standard synchrotron shock model predicts detectable radio emission from the reverse shock when none was seen. Because many physical parameters play a role in these estimates, our results highlight the need to more deeply explore the fundamental processes involved in GRB particle acceleration and emission. However, with more rapid follow-up, we can test our standard model of GRBs, which predicts an early, radio bright reverse shock in many cases.