On the structure of quasi-universal jets for gamma-ray bursts

The idea that gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) originate from uniform jets has been used to explain numerous observations of breaks in the GRB afterglow light curves. We explore the possibility that GRBs instead originate from a structured jet that may be quasi-universal, where the variation in the observed properties of GRBs is due to the variation in the observer viewing angle. We test how various models reproduce the jet data of Bloom, Frail, & Kulkarni, which show a negative correlation between the isotropic energy output and the inferred jet opening angle ( in a uniform jet configuration). We find, consistent with previous studies, that a power-law structure for the jet energy as a function of angle gives a good description. However, a Gaussian jet structure can also reproduce the data well, particularly if the parameters of the Gaussian are allowed some scatter. We place limits on the scatter of the parameters in both the Gaussian and power-law models needed to reproduce the data and discuss how future observations will better distinguish between these models for the GRB jet structure. We also discuss the predictions each model makes for the observed luminosity function of GRBs and compare these predictions with the existing data.