Detecting TeV Gamma Rays from Gamma Ray Bursts by Ground Based Muon Detectors

Abstract

The possibility of detecting Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRB) in TeV energy range using large area muon detectors like AMANDA and Lake Baikal detector is examined. These detectors can detect TeV energy photons by detecting the secondary muons created by the TeV photons in the Earth's atmosphere. We calculate the expected number of muons and the signal to square root of noise ratios in these detectors due to TeV gamma-rays from individual GRBs for various assumption on their luminosity, distance from the observer (redshift), gamma-ray integral spectral index, maximum energy cutoff of the photon spectrum and duration including the effect of the absorption of TeV photons in the intergalactic infrared radiation background. We also calculate the expected rate of detectable TeV-GRB events in these detectors using a recent determination of the luminosity and redshift distributions of GRBs in the Universe.