Abstract
We analyze the temporal evolution of accretion onto rotating black holes subject to large-scale magnetic torques. Wind torques alone drive a disk toward collapse in a finite time ∼tffEk/EB, where tff is the initial free-fall time and Ek/EB is the ratio of kinetic energy to poloidal magnetic energy. Additional spin-up torques from a rapidly rotating black hole can arrest the disk's inflow. We associate short/long gamma-ray bursts with hyperaccretion/ suspended-accretion onto slowly/rapidly spinning black holes. This model predicts afterglow emission from short bursts and may be tested by HETE-2.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | L31-L34 |
Journal | Astrophysical Journal Letters |
Volume | 552 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 1 2001 |
Externally published | Yes |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science
Keywords
- Black hole physics
- Gamma rays: bursts
- Gamma rays: theory