Pulse-resolved Classification and Characteristics of Long-duration Gamma-Ray Bursts with Swift-BAT Data. I. Precursors versus Main Bursts

Abstract Many long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) exhibit complex prompt emission structures with multiple temporally distinct episodes, such as early-time precursors preceding the main burst. Whether these subcomponents share the same physical origin and classification properties, or represent different emission mechanisms within a single event, remains an open question. Here, we present a systematic pulse-by-pulse analysis of 22 long-duration GRBs observed by Swift, each exhibiting a well-separated precursor before the main burst. We compare duration, spectral hardness ratio, minimum variability timescale (MVT), and spectral lag between these components. Both precursors and main bursts have durations and hardness broadly consistent with Type II (collapsar-origin) GRBs. However, precursors show longer MVTs (by factors of 3–10) and diverse lags with near-zero median values, while main bursts display variable MVTs and positive lags. These differences suggest precursors may originate from distinct dissipation conditions, possibly due to cocoon shock breakout or early magnetically dominated outflows. Despite temporal differences, both episodes are consistent with a single collapsar origin, providing no evidence for dual-progenitor events. Our findings support pulse-resolved classification and show that precursors offer critical insights into jet formation and preburst activity.