Statistical classification of gamma-ray bursts based on the Amati relation

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are believed to belong to two classes and they are conventionally divided according to their durations. This classification scheme is not satisfied due to the fact that duration distributions of the two classes are heavily overlapped. We collect a new sample (153 sources) of GRBs and investigate the distribution of the logarithmic deviation of the E-p value from the Amati relation. The distribution possesses an obvious bimodality structure and it can be accounted for by the combination of two Gaussian curves. Based on this analysis, we propose to statistically classify GRBs in the well-known E-p versus E-iso plane with the logarithmic deviation of the E-p value. This classification scheme divides GRBs into two groups: Amati type bursts and non-Amati type bursts. While Amati type bursts follow the Amati relation, non-Amati type bursts do not. It shows that most Amati type bursts are long duration bursts and the majority of non-Amati type bursts are short duration bursts. In addition, it reveals that Amati type bursts are generally more energetic than non-Amati type bursts. An advantage of the new classification is that the two kinds of burst are well distinguishable and therefore their members can be identified in certainty.