Constraints on gamma-ray burst inner engines in a Blandford-Znajek framework

Abstract

Under the assumption that a gamma-ray burst (GRB) is ultimately produced by a Blandford-Znajek (BZ) jet from a highly spinning black hole (BH), we put limits on the magnetic field and BH mass needed to power observed long and short GRBs. For BHs in the range of $2\hbox{ - }10 \, \mathrm{M}-{\odot }$ (for long GRBs) and $0.5\hbox{ - }4 \, \mathrm{M}-{\odot }$ (for short GRBs), we find magnetic fields in the range of 5 × 10 B 1017 G are needed to power the observed GRBs. Under the simple assumption of flux conservation, we estimate the magnetic fields of the progenitor systems for both long and short GRBs, finding that single massive star progenitors require fields ∼106 G and neutron star merger systems require fields ∼1015 G. We also discuss the implications and consequences of high magnetic fields in GRB BH-disc systems, in terms of magnetorotational instability field growth and magnetically arrested discs. Finally, we examine the conditions under which the progenitor systems can retain enough angular momentum to create BHs spinning rapidly enough to power BZ jets.