An Analysis of Chandra Deep Follow-up GRBs: Implications for Off-Axis Jets

Abstract

We present a sample of 27 GRBs with detailed Swift light curves supplemented by late time Chandra observations. To answer the missing jet-break problem in general, we develop a numerical simulation based model which can be directly fit to the data using Monte Carlo methods. Our numerical model takes into account all the factors that can shape a jet-break: (i) lateral expansion (ii) edge effects and (iii) off-axis effects. Our results provide improved fits to the light curves and constraints on physical parameters. More importantly, our results suggest that off-axis effects are important and must be included in interpretations of GRB jet breaks.

11 pages, 4 figures, 1 table. ApJ in press. On-line figures (33 MB) can be found at https://psu.box.com/s/8o7vwenwkp7sidzebuywss9vvaqx69ha