A search for correlations between gamma-ray burst variability and afterglow onset

Abstract

We compared the time (or time limit) of onset for optical afterglow emission to the γ-ray variability V in 76 gamma-ray bursts with redshifts. In the subset (25 cases) with the rise evident in the data, we fit the shape of the onset peak as well and compared the rising and decaying indices to V. We did not find any evidence for any patterns between these properties and there is no statistical support for any correlations. This indicates a lack of connection between irregularities of the prompt γ-ray emission and the establishment of the afterglow phase. In the ordinary prompt internal shocks interpretation, this would indicate a lack of relationship between V and the bulk Lorentz factor of the event.