Model Constraints Based on the IceCube Neutrino Nondetection of GRB 221009A

GRB 221009A is a bright gamma-ray burst (GRB) with isotropic energy larger than 10(54) erg. Its fairly low redshift makes it a promising candidate for high-energy neutrino detection. However, a neutrino search for this GRB reported by the IceCube collaboration yielded a null result. In this paper, we utilize the upper limit from the IceCube observation to test different GRB prompt emission models. We find that, at least for this specific burst, the dissipative photosphere model could be ruled out in a large parameter space. The internal-shock model can survive only with a large bulk motion Lorentz factor Gamma, where the most stringent and conservative constraints are Gamma > similar to 450 and Gamma > similar to 200, respectively. Also, the ratio of the total dissipated energy that goes into the protons and electrons (epsilon ( p )/epsilon ( e )) can be constrained with a given Gamma. For Gamma < 400, epsilon ( p )/epsilon ( e ) < 10 is required. For the Internal-collision-induced Magnetic Reconnection and Turbulence (ICMART) model, the constraint from GRB 221009A is modest. Under the ICMART model, only for extreme situations when most dissipated energy deposit into protons and all accelerated protons are suitable for producing neutrinos, a slightly large bulk motion (Gamma > similar to 250) is required.

Automated summary

The neutron star model of GRB 221009A is likely ruled out in this neutrino search, while the internal shock model can only survive with a large Lorentz factor Gamma.