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Paper: Collapsar Jets, Cocoons and Bursts
Volume: 312, Third Rome Workshop on Gamma-Ray Bursts in the Afterglow Era
Page: 399
Authors: Ramirez-Ruiz, E.
Abstract: Core collapse of massive stars appears to be capable of producing highly relativistic beams fo matter. As the beam makes its way out of the stellar envelope, most of its energy output during that period goes into a cocoon of relativistic plasma. This material would itself be able to escape along the direction of least resistance, and accelerate in approximately the same way as an impulsive fireball. Here we describe the evolution of such cocoon fireballs. We argue that an understanding of the structure and time-dependence of the cocoon plasma can come only through a knowledge of the properties of the stellar material through which it propagates. Shock waves withing this plasma can produce γ-ray and X-ray transients (both thermal and non-thermal), in addition to the standard afterglow emission that would originate from the deceleration shock.
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