Models for Gamma-Ray Burst Progenitors and Central Engines

Most gamma-ray bursts are made during the deaths of massive stars. Here the environmental circumstances, stellar evolutionary paths, and explosion physics that might produce the bursts are reviewed. Neither of the two leading models - collapsar and millisecond magnetar - can be excluded, and both may operate in progenitor stars of different masses, metallicities, and rotation rates. Potential diagnostics are discussed and uncertainties highlighted. Both models are capable of producing a wide variety of transients whose properties vary with both stellar properties and viewing angle. Some of these are reviewed including the possibility of very long (days) low luminosity bursts, so far undiscovered, short hard bursts from massive stellar progenitors, and bursts from very massive Population III stars.

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