Fireballs from Quark Stars in the Color‐Flavor Locked Phase: Application to Gamma‐Ray Bursts

Abstract

Recent studies of photon generation mechanisms in the color-superconducting color-flavor locked (CFL) phase of dense quark matter have found γ-ray emissivities in excess of ∼10 50 ergs cm -3 s -1 for temperatures in the 10-30 MeV range. We suggest that this property can trigger γ-ray bursts (GRBs) and associated fireballs at the surface of hypothetical hot (newly born) quark stars with an energy release of up to 10 48 -10 50 ergs within a fraction of a millisecond. If surrounded by an accretion disk following its formation, the star's bursting activity can last from tens of milliseconds to hundreds of seconds, releasing up to 10 52 ergs in total energy. We discuss typical features of observed GRBs within our model and explain how quark stars in the CFL phase might constitute natural candidates for corresponding inner engines. © 2005. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.