The rate and luminosity function of short GRBs

Tsvi Piran, Dafne Guetta

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

We compare the luminosity function and rate inferred from the BATSE short hard bursts (SHBs) peak flux distribution with the redshift and luminosity distributions of SHBs observed by Swift/HETE II. The Swift/HETE II SHB sample is incompatible with SHB population that follows the star formation rate. However, it is compatible with a distribution of delay times after the SFR. This would be the case if SHBs are associated with binary neutron star mergers. The implied SHB rates that we find range from ∼ 8 to ∼30h70 3Gpc-3yr-1. This rate is a much higher than what was previously estimated and it is comparable to the rate of neutron star mergers estimated from statistics of binary pulsars. If GRBs are produced in mergers the implied rate practically guarantees detection by LIGO II and possibly even by LIGO I, if we are lucky. Our analysis, which is based on observed short hard burst is limited to bursts with luminosities above 10 49erg/sec. Weaker bursts may exist but if so they are hardly detected by BATSE or Swift and hence their rate is very weakly constrained by current observations. Thus the rate of mergers that lead to a detection of a gravitational radiation signal might be even higher.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationGAMMA-RAY BURSTS IN THE SWIFT ERA
Subtitle of host publicationSixteenth Maryland Astrophysics Conference
Pages58-+
Number of pages6
Volume836
DOIs
StatePublished - 2006
Externally publishedYes
EventGAMMA-RAY BURSTS IN THE SWIFT ERA: 16th Maryland Astrophysics Conference - Washington, D.C., United States
Duration: 29 Nov 20052 Dec 2005

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings

Conference

ConferenceGAMMA-RAY BURSTS IN THE SWIFT ERA: 16th Maryland Astrophysics Conference
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWashington, D.C.
Period29/11/052/12/05

Keywords

  • cosmology
  • observations-gamma rays
  • bursts-gravitational radiation

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