A Simple BATSE Measure of GRB Duty Cycle

Abstract

We introduce a definition of gamma-ray burst (GRB) duty cycle that describes the GRB's efficiency as an emitter; it is the GRB's average flux relative to the peak flux. This GRB duty cycle is easily described in terms of measured BATSE parameters; it is essentially fluence divided by the quantity peak flux times duration. Since fluence and duration are two of the three defining characteristics of the GRB classes identified by statistical clustering techniques (the other is spectral hardness), duty cycle is a potentially valuable probe for studying properties of these classes.