Lorenzo Amati (INAF - IASF Bologna, Italy)

GRB science with LOFT

We show that, despite it is not one of its main goals, the LOFT mission will be capable to do significant (and
even unprecedented) GRB science. In particular, the energy band, sensitivity, field of view, source location
accuracy and energy resolution of the WFM (in the baseline design reported in the ESA/M3 proposal) are
particularly well suited for the investigation of some of the most relevant open issues in the study of these
phenomena: the models for the physics of prompt emission, the existence and properties of spectral
absorption features by circum-burst material (and hence the nature of the progenitors), the population and
properties of XRFs, the detection and rate of high-z GRBs (fundamental for the investigation of the early
universe). 
In addition, depending on the technical feasibility and the follow-up strategy that will be adopted, it
could be possible to investigate the plateau phase and its transition to the ʻnormal decayʼ with the LAD,
leading to accurate measurements of relevant parameters (Lx, Ta) and to the possible detection of lines or
magnetar signatures. We also discuss how the combination of the measurements by the LOFT/WFM with
those of other GRB experiments possibly flying at that epoch, together with optimizations of data
acquisition / transmission (like the prompt dissemination of the arcmin location provided by the WFM) will
significantly enhance the scientific return of the mission for this important field of modern astrophysics.