A hybrid model of GeV–TeV gamma ray emission from the Galactic center

Abstract

The observations of high energy γ-ray emission from the Galactic center (GC) by HESS, and recently by Fermi, suggest cosmic ray acceleration in the GC and possibly around the supermassive black hole. In this work we propose a lepton–hadron hybrid model to simultaneously explain the GeV–TeV γ-ray emission. Both electrons and hadronic cosmic rays were accelerated during the previous activity of the GC. These particles would then diffuse outwards and interact with the interstellar gas and background radiation field. The collisions between hadronic cosmic rays with gas are responsible for the TeV γ-ray emission detected by HESS. With fast cooling in the strong radiation field, the electrons would cool down and radiate GeV photons through inverse Compton scattering off the soft background photons. This scenario provides a natural explanation for the observed GeV–TeV spectral shape of γ-rays.