A Tidal Disruption Model for the Gamma-Ray Burst of GRB 060614

摘要

The combination of a long duration and the absence of any accompanying supernova clearly shows that GRB 060614 cannot be grouped into the two conventional classes of gamma-ray bursts; i.e., the long/soft bursts deemed to be collapsars and the short/hard bursts deemed to be merging binary compact stars. A new progenitor model is required for this anomalous gamma-ray burst. We propose that GRB 060614 might be produced through the tidal disruption of a star by an intermediate-mass black hole. In this scenario, the long duration and the lack of any associated supernova are naturally expected. The theoretical energy output is also consistent with observations. The observed 9 s periodicity in the gamma-ray light curve of GRB 060614 can also be satisfactorily explained.