Nuclear Reactions in the Early Stage of Binary Mergers and Their Connections to Short Gamma-Ray Bursts
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This study proposes that energy from nuclear reactions can be a source for short gamma-ray bursts (SGRBs). I demonstrate that within the dynamical ejecta of binary mergers, nuclear reactions generate immense energy on the order of 10 50 erg s −1 or even higher from beta decay and up to 10 58 erg s −1 from neutron capture. The latter process produces highly variable energetic spikes, which provide a natural explanation for the rapid luminosity variability observed in the SGRB light curves. This finding challenges the traditional paradigm that SGRBs are solely magnetically powered and points to nuclear energy as an alternative contributor to SGRBs.
Source: The Astrophysical Journal
Author: Rita K. Y. Lau
Institution: University of Hong Kong
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,499
OpenAlex ID: W7138231255