Synchrotron Self-absorption Research Articles

High-frequency excess in the radio continuum spectrum of the type-1 Seyfert galaxy NGC 985

Abstract The Seyfert galaxy NGC 985 is known to show a high-frequency excess in its radio continuum spectrum at a milli-Jansky level on the basis of previous observations at 1.4–15 GHz; a steep spectrum at low frequencies (a spectral index, α = −1.10 ± 0.03) changes at ∼10 GHz into an inverted spectrum at higher frequencies (α = +0.86 ± 0.09). We conduct new observations at 15–43 GHz using the Very Large Array and at 100 GHz using the Nobeyama Millimeter Array. As a result, the high-frequency excess has been confirmed as continuing at even higher radio frequencies, up to 43 GHz. The non-detection at 100 GHz was not so strong a constraint, and therefore the spectral behavior above 43 GHz remains unclear. The astrometric position of the high-frequency excess component coincides with the optical position of the Seyfert nucleus and the low-frequency radio position to an accuracy of 0${^{\prime\prime}_{.}}$1, corresponding to ∼80 pc; the radio source size is constrained to be <0${^{\prime\prime}_{.}}$02, corresponding to <16 pc. We discuss the physical origin of the observed high-frequency excess component. Dust emission at the Rayleigh–Jeans regime, free–free emission from X-ray radiating high-temperature plasma, free–free emission from the ensemble of broad-line region clouds, or thermal synchrotron from hot accretion flow cannot be responsible for the observed radio flux. Compact jets under synchrotron self-absorption may be unlikely in terms of observed time scales. Alternatively, we cannot rule out the hypotheses of synchrotron jets free–free absorbed by a circumnuclear photo-ionized region, and self-absorbed nonthermal synchrotron from disk corona, as the origin of the high-frequency excess component.

POLARIZED SYNCHROTRON EMISSIVITIES AND ABSORPTIVITIES FOR RELATIVISTIC THERMAL, POWER-LAW, AND KAPPA DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS

ABSTRACT Synchrotron emission and absorption determine the observational appearances of many astronomical systems. In this paper, we describe a numerical scheme for calculating synchrotron emissivities and absorptivities in all four Stokes parameters for arbitrary gyrotropic electron distribution functions, building on earlier work by Leung, Gammie, and Noble. We use this technique to evaluate the emissivities and the absorptivities for a thermal (Maxwell–Jüttner), isotropic power-law, and an isotropic kappa distribution function. The latter contains a power-law tail at high particle energies that smoothly merges with a thermal core at low energies, as is characteristic of observed particle spectra in collisionless plasmas. We provide fitting formulae and error bounds on the fitting formulae for use in codes that solve the radiative transfer equation. The numerical method and the fitting formulae are implemented in a compact C library called symphony. We find that the kappa distribution has a source function that is indistinguishable from a thermal spectrum at low frequency and transitions to the characteristic self-absorbed synchrotron spectrum, , at high frequency; the linear polarization fraction for a thermal spectrum is near unity at high frequency; and all distributions produce O(10%) circular polarization at low frequency for lines of sight sufficiently close to the magnetic field vector.

Parsec-scale radio morphology and variability of a changing-look AGN: the case of Mrk 590

We investigate the origin of the parsec-scale radio emission from the changing-look active galactic nucleus (AGN) of Mrk 590, and examine whether the radio power has faded concurrently with the dramatic decrease in accretion rates observed between the 1990s and the present. We detect a compact core at 1.6 GHz and 8.4 GHz using new Very Long Baseline Array observations, finding no significant extended, jet-like features down to $\sim$1 pc scales. The flat spectral index ($\alpha_{1.6}^{8.4} = 0.03$) and high brightness temperature ($T_{\rm b} \sim 10^{8}\,\rm K$) indicate self-absorbed synchrotron emission from the AGN. The radio to X-ray luminosity ratio of ${\rm log}(L_{\rm R}/L_{\rm X}) \sim -5$, similar to that in coronally active stars, suggests emission from magnetized coronal winds, although unresolved radio jets are also consistent with the data. Comparing new Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array measurements with archival and published radio flux densities, we find $46\%$, $34\%$, and (insignificantly) $13\%$ flux density decreases between the 1990s and the year 2015 at 1.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 8.4 GHz respectively. This trend, possibly due to the expansion and fading of internal shocks within the radio-emitting outflow after a recent outburst, is consistent with the decline of the optical-UV and X-ray luminosities over the same period. Such correlated variability demonstrates the AGN accretion-outflow connection, confirming that the changing-look behaviour in Mrk 590 originates from variable accretion rates rather than dust obscuration. The present radio and X-ray luminosity correlation, consistent with low/hard state accretion, suggests that the black hole may now be accreting in a radiatively inefficient mode.

Numerical calculations of spectral turnover and synchrotron self-absorption in CSS and GPS radio sources

The dependence of the turnover frequency on the linear size is presented for a sample of GPS and CSS radio sources derived from complete samples. The dependence of the luminosity of the emission at the peak frequency with the linear size and the peak frequency is also presented for the galaxies in the sample. The luminosity of the smaller sources evolve strongly with the linear size. Optical depth effects have been included to the 3D model for the radio source of Kaiser (2000) to study the spectral turnover. Using this model, the observed trend can be explained by synchrotron self absorption. The observed trend in the peak-frequency -- linear-size plane is not affected by the luminosity evolution of the sources.

SYNCHROTRON HEATING BY A FAST RADIO BURST IN A SELF-ABSORBED SYNCHROTRON NEBULA AND ITS OBSERVATIONAL SIGNATURE

ABSTRACT Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are mysterious transient sources. If extragalactic, as suggested by their relative large dispersion measures, their brightness temperatures must be extremely high. Some FRB models (e.g., young pulsar model, magnetar giant flare model, or supra-massive neutron star collapse model) suggest that they may be associated with a synchrotron nebula. Here we study a synchrotron-heating process by an FRB in a self-absorbed synchrotron nebula. If the FRB frequency is below the synchrotron self-absorption frequency of the nebula, electrons in the nebula would absorb FRB photons, leading to a harder electron spectrum and enhanced self-absorbed synchrotron emission. In the meantime, the FRB flux is absorbed by the nebula electrons. We calculate the spectra of FRB-heated synchrotron nebulae, and show that the nebula spectra would show a significant hump in several decades near the self-absorption frequency. Identifying such a spectral feature would reveal an embedded FRB in a synchrotron nebula.

Orbital and superorbital variability of LS I +61 303 at low radio frequencies with GMRT and LOFAR

LS I +61 303 is a gamma-ray binary that exhibits an outburst at GHz frequencies each orbital cycle of $\approx$ 26.5 d and a superorbital modulation with a period of $\approx$ 4.6 yr. We have performed a detailed study of the low-frequency radio emission of LS I +61 303 by analysing all the archival GMRT data at 150, 235 and 610 MHz, and conducting regular LOFAR observations within the Radio Sky Monitor (RSM) at 150 MHz. We have detected the source for the first time at 150 MHz, which is also the first detection of a gamma-ray binary at such a low frequency. We have obtained the light-curves of the source at 150, 235 and 610 MHz, all of them showing orbital modulation. The light-curves at 235 and 610 MHz also show the existence of superorbital variability. A comparison with contemporaneous 15-GHz data shows remarkable differences with these light-curves. At 15 GHz we see clear outbursts, whereas at low frequencies we see variability with wide maxima. The light-curve at 235 MHz seems to be anticorrelated with the one at 610 MHz, implying a shift of $\sim$ 0.5 orbital phases in the maxima. We model the shifts between the maxima at different frequencies as due to changes in the physical parameters of the emitting region assuming either free-free absorption or synchrotron self-absorption, obtaining expansion velocities for this region close to the stellar wind velocity with both mechanisms.

CHANG-ES V: NUCLEAR OUTFLOW IN A VIRGO CLUSTER SPIRAL AFTER A TIDAL DISRUPTION EVENT

We have observed the Virgo Cluster spiral galaxy, NGC~4845, at 1.6 and 6 GHz using the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array, as part of the `Continuum Halos in Nearby Galaxies -- an EVLA Survey' (CHANG-ES). The source consists of a bright unresolved core with a surrounding weak central disk (1.8 kpc diameter). The core is variable over the 6 month time scale of the CHANG-ES data and has increased by a factor of $\approx$ 6 since 1995. The wide bandwidths of CHANG-ES have allowed us to determine the spectral evolution of this core which peaks {\it between} 1.6 and 6 GHz (it is a GigaHertz-peaked spectrum source).We show that the spectral turnover is dominated by synchrotron self-absorption and that the spectral evolution can be explained by adiabatic expansion (outflow), likely in the form of a jet or cone. The CHANG-ES observations serendipitously overlap in time with the hard X-ray light curve obtained by Nikolajuk \& Walter (2013) which they interpret as due to a tidal disruption event (TDE) of a super-Jupiter mass object around a $10^5\, M_\odot$ black hole. We outline a standard jet model, provide an explanation for the observed circular polarization, and quantitatively suggest a link between the peak radio and peak X-ray emission via inverse Compton upscattering of the photons emitted by the relativistic electrons. We predict that it should be possible to resolve a young radio jet via VLBI as a result of this nearby TDE.

BROADBAND SPECTRAL MODELING OF THE EXTREME GIGAHERTZ-PEAKED SPECTRUM RADIO SOURCE PKS B0008-421

We present broadband observations and spectral modeling of PKS B0008-421, and identify it as an extreme gigahertz-peaked spectrum (GPS) source. PKS B0008-421 is characterized by the steepest known spectral slope below the turnover, close to the theoretical limit of synchrotron self-absorption, and the smallest known spectral width of any GPS source. Spectral coverage of the source spans from 0.118 to 22 GHz, which includes data from the Murchison Widefield Array and the wide bandpass receivers on the Australia Telescope Compact Array. We have implemented a Bayesian inference model fitting routine to fit the data with various absorption models. We find that without the inclusion of a high-frequency exponential break the absorption models can not accurately fit the data, with significant deviations above and below the peak in the radio spectrum. The addition of a high-frequency break provides acceptable spectral fits for the inhomogeneous free-free absorption and double-component synchrotron self-absorption models, with the inhomogeneous free-free absorption model statistically favored. The requirement of a high-frequency spectral break implies that the source has ceased injecting fresh particles. Additional support for the inhomogeneous free-free absorption model as being responsible for the turnover in the spectrum is given by the consistency between the physical parameters derived from the model fit and the implications of the exponential spectral break, such as the necessity of the source being surrounded by a dense ambient medium to maintain the peak frequency near the gigahertz region. The discovery of PKS B0008-421 suggests that the next generation of low radio frequency surveys could reveal a large population of GPS sources that have ceased activity, and that a portion of the ultra-steep spectrum source population could be composed of these GPS sources in a relic phase.

DETERMINATION OF CENTRAL ENGINE POSITION AND ACCRETION DISK STRUCTURE IN NGC 4261 BY CORE SHIFT MEASUREMENTS

We report multifrequency phase-referenced observations of the nearby radio galaxy NGC 4261, which has prominent two-sided jets, using the Very Long Baseline Array at 1.4-43 GHz. We measured radio core positions showing observing frequency dependences (known as "core shift") in both approaching jets and counter jets. The limit of the core position as the frequency approaches infinity, which suggests a jet base, is separated by 82$\pm$16 ${\mu}$as upstream in projection, corresponding to (310$\pm$60)Rs (Rs: Schwarzschild radius) as a deprojected distance, from the 43 GHz core in the approaching jet. In addition, the innermost component at the counter jet side appeared to approach the same position at infinity of the frequency, indicating that cores on both sides are approaching the same position, suggesting a spatial coincidence with the central engine. Applying a phase referencing technique, we also obtained spectral index maps, which indicate that emission from the counter jet is affected by free-free absorption (FFA). The result of the core shift profile on the counter jet also requires FFA because the core positions at 5-15GHz cannot be explained by a simple core shift model based on synchrotron self-absorption (SSA). Our result is apparently consistent with the SSA core shift with an additional disk-like absorber over the counterjet side. Core shift and opacity profiles at the counter jet side suggest a two-component accretion: a radiatively inefficient accretion flow at the inner region and a truncated thin disk in the outer region. We proposed a possible solution about density and temperature profiles in the outer disk on the basis of the radio observation.

RADIO FLARES FROM GAMMA-RAY BURSTS

We present predictions of centimeter and millimeter radio emission from reverse shocks in the early afterglows of gamma-ray bursts with the goal of determining their detectability with current and future radio facilities. Using a range of GRB properties, such as peak optical brightness and time, isotropic equivalent gamma-ray energy and redshift, we simulate radio light curves in a framework generalized for any circumburst medium structure and including a parametrization of the shell thickness regime that is more realistic than the simple assumption of thick- or thin-shell approximations. Building on earlier work by Mundell et al. (2007) and Melandri et al. (2010) in which the typical frequency of the reverse shock was suggested to lie at radio, rather than optical wavelengths at early times, we show that the brightest and most distinct reverse-shock radio signatures are detectable up to 0.1 -- 1 day after the burst, emphasizing the need for rapid radio follow-up. Detection is easier for bursts with later optical peaks, high isotropic energies, lower circumburst medium densities, and at observing frequencies that are less prone to synchrotron self-absorption effects - typically above a few GHz. Given recent detections of polarized prompt gamma-ray and optical reverse-shock emission, we suggest that detection of polarized radio/mm emission will unambiguously confirm the presence of low-frequency reverse shocks at early time.

Physical properties of the gamma-ray binary LS 5039 through low- and high-frequency radio observations

We have studied in detail the 0.15-15 GHz radio spectrum of the gamma-ray binary LS 5039 to look for a possible turnover and absorption mechanisms at low frequencies, and to constrain the physical properties of its emission. We have analysed two archival VLA monitorings, all the available archival GMRT data and a coordinated quasi-simultaneous observational campaign conducted in 2013 with GMRT and WSRT. The data show that the radio emission of LS 5039 is persistent on day, week and year timescales, with a variability $\lesssim 25~\%$ at all frequencies, and no signature of orbital modulation. The obtained spectra reveal a power-law shape with a curvature below 5 GHz and a turnover at $\sim0.5$ GHz, which can be reproduced by a one-zone model with synchrotron self-absorption plus Razin effect. We obtain a coherent picture for a size of the emitting region of $\sim0.85~\mathrm{mas}$, setting a magnetic field of $B\sim20~\mathrm{mG}$, an electron density of $n_{\rm e}\sim4\times10^5~{\rm cm^{-3}}$ and a mass-loss rate of $\dot M\sim5\times10^{-8}~{\rm M_{\odot} yr^{-1}}$. These values imply a significant mixing of the stellar wind with the relativistic plasma outflow from the compact companion. At particular epochs the Razin effect is negligible, implying changes in the injection and the electron density or magnetic field. The Razin effect is reported for first time in a gamma-ray binary, giving further support to the young non-accreting pulsar scenario.

A NEW MODEL FOR THE RADIO EMISSION FROM SN 1994I AND AN ASSOCIATED SEARCH FOR RADIO TRANSIENTS IN M51

We revisit the exquisite archival radio data for the Type Ic supernova SN 1994I and present a revised model for the SN radio emission and a pilot study that aims to constrain the rate of C-band radio transients within the face-on host galaxy, M51 (NGC 5194). We find that the temporal and spectral evolution of the SN\,1994I radio emission are well fit by a synchrotron self-absorption model and use this to estimate physical parameters. We compute a pre-explosion mass loss rate of $\dot{M}=3.0 \times 10^{-5} M_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$ for the progenitor, consistent with those observed from galactic Wolf-Rayet stars. Our model makes different assumptions for the dynamical model for the shockwave interaction than the model previously published by \cite{weil11}, but our $\dot{M}$ is consistent with theirs to within errors and assumptions. Drawing from a subset of the archival radio observations from the Very Large Array collected for the monitoring of SN\,1994I, we conduct a pilot study to search for previously-unidentified transients. Data were primarily taken at a frequency of 4.9 GHz and are logarithmic in cadence, enabling sensitivity to transients with variability timescales ranging from days to months. We find no new transient detections in 31 epochs of data, allowing us to place a $2\sigma$ upper limit of 17 deg$^{-2}$ for the source density of radio transients above 0.5 mJy ($L\gtrsim4\times10^{25}$ erg s$^{-1}$ Hz$^{-1}$ at the distance of M51). This study highlights the feasibility of utilizing archival high-cadence radio studies of supernova host galaxies to place constraints on the radio transient rate as a function of luminosity in the local Universe.

MAGNETIZATION DEGREE AT THE JET BASE OF M87 DERIVED FROM THE EVENT HORIZON TELESCOPE DATA: TESTING THE MAGNETICALLY DRIVEN JET PARADIGM

We explore the degree of magnetization at the jet base of M87 by using the observational data of the event horizon telescope (EHT) at 230~GHz obtained by Doeleman et al. By utilizing the method in Kino et al., we derive the energy densities of magnetic fields ($U_{B}$) and electrons and positrons ($U_{\pm}$) in the compact region detected by EHT (EHT-region) with its full-width-half-maximum size $40~{\rm \mu as}$. First, we assume that an optically-thick region for synchrotron self absorption (SSA) exists in the EHT-region. Then, we find that the SSA-thick region should not be too large not to overproduce the Poynting power at the EHT-region. The allowed ranges of the angular size and the magnetic field strength of the SSA-thick region are $21~{\rm \mu as} \le \theta_{\rm thick}\le 26.3~{\rm \mu as}$ and $50~{\rm G}\le B_{\rm tot}\le 124~{\rm G}$, respectively. Correspondingly $U_{B}\gg U_{\pm} $ is realized in this case. We further examine the composition of plasma and energy density of protons by utilizing the Faraday rotation measurement ($RM$) at 230~GHz obtained by Kuo et al. Then, we find that $U_{B}\gg U_{\pm}+U_{p} $ still holds in the SSA-thick region. Second, we examine the case when EHT-region is fully SSA-thin. Then we find that $U_{B}\gg U_{\pm}$ still holds unless protons are relativistic. Thus, we conclude that magnetically driven jet scenario in M87 is viable in terms of energetics close to ISCO scale unless the EHT-region is fully SSA-thin and relativistic protons dominated.

THE SPECTRAL VARIABILITY OF THE GHZ-PEAKED SPECTRUM RADIO SOURCE PKS 1718-649 AND A COMPARISON OF ABSORPTION MODELS

Using the new wideband capabilities of the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA), we obtain spectra for PKS 1718-649, a well-known gigahertz-peaked spectrum radio source. The observations, between approximately 1 and 10 GHz over three epochs spanning approximately 21 months, reveal variability both above the spectral peak at ~3 GHz and below the peak. The combination of the low and high frequency variability cannot be easily explained using a single absorption mechanism, such as free-free absorption or synchrotron self-absorption. We find that the PKS 1718-649 spectrum and its variability are best explained by variations in the free-free optical depth on our line-of-sight to the radio source at low frequencies (below the spectral peak) and the adiabatic expansion of the radio source itself at high frequencies (above the spectral peak). The optical depth variations are found to be plausible when X-ray continuum absorption variability seen in samples of Active Galactic Nuclei is considered. We find that the cause of the peaked spectrum in PKS 1718-649 is most likely due to free-free absorption. In agreement with previous studies, we find that the spectrum at each epoch of observation is best fit by a free-free absorption model characterised by a power-law distribution of free-free absorbing clouds. This agreement is extended to frequencies below the 1 GHz lower limit of the ATCA by considering new observations with Parkes at 725 MHz and 199 MHz observations with the newly operational Murchison Widefield Array. These lower frequency observations argue against families of absorption models (both free-free and synchrotron self-absorption) that are based on simple homogenous structures.

Blazars and optical depth in a non-linear, time-dependent injection and cooling scenario

In this paper the optical depths in blazars due to photo-pair production is calculated for a time-dependent, non-linear injection model. Several target photon fields are taken into account, namely the internal synchrotron, synchrotron-self Compton and external Compton radiation, as well as a constant external soft photon field. By applying the optical depths to theoretical blazar spectra only the constant external photon field turns out to significantly influence the radiation at high energies. The impact of the internal time-dependent radiation fields is either minor or requires extreme parameter settings. Additionally, the synchrotron-self absorption turn-over energy for low synchrotron energies is calculated, which is inherently time-dependent. It would be challenging to use it to constrain free parameters, since precise knowledge of the observation time relative to the injection time is needed. In conclusion, optical depth does not significantly influence the non-linear, time-dependent injection and cooling model.

Unveiling the nature of coronae in active galactic nuclei through submillimeter observations

Abstract The heating mechanism of a corona above an accretion disk in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) is still unknown. One possible mechanism is magnetic reconnection heating requiring energy equipartition between magnetic energy and gas energy in the disk. Here, we investigate the expected observed properties in the radio band from such a magnetized corona. A magnetized corona can generate synchrotron radiation since a huge amount of electrons exists. Although most of the radiation would be absorbed by synchrotron self-absorption, high-frequency end of synchrotron emission can escape from a corona and appear at the submillimeter range. If only thermal electrons exist in a corona, the expected flux from nearby Seyferts is below the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) sensitivity. However, if non-thermal electrons coexist in a corona, ALMA can measure the non-thermal tail of the synchrotron radiation from a corona. Such a non-thermal population is naturally expected to exist if the corona is heated by magnetic reconnections. Future ALMA observations will directly probe the coronal magnetic field strength and the existence of non-thermal electrons in coronae of AGNs.

Extragalactic radio sources with sharply inverted spectrum at metre wavelengths

We present the first results of a systematic search for the rare extragalactic radio sources showing an inverted (integrated) spectrum, with spectral index $\alpha \ge +2.0$, a previously unexplored spectral domain. The search is expected to yield strong candidates for $\alpha \ge +2.5$, for which the standard synchrotron self-absorption (characterized by a single power-law energy distribution of relativistic electron population) would not be a plausible explanation, even in an ideal case of a perfectly homogeneous source of incoherent synchrotron radiation. Such sharply inverted spectra, if found, would require alternative explanations, e.g., free-free absorption, or non-standard energy distribution of relativistic electrons which differs from a power-law (e.g., Maxwellian). The search was carried out by comparing two sensitive low-frequency radio surveys made with sub-arcminute resolution, namely, the WISH survey at 352 MHz and TGSS/DR5 at 150 MHz. The overlap region between these two surveys contains 7056 WISH sources classified as `single' and brighter than 100 mJy at 352 MHz. We focus here on the seven of these sources for which we find $\alpha > +2.0$. Two of these are undetected at 150 MHz and are particularly good candidates for $\alpha > +2.5$. Five of the seven sources exhibit a `Gigahertz-Peaked-Spectrum' (GPS).

RELATIVISTIC ELECTRONS AND MAGNETIC FIELDS OF THE M87 JET ON THE ∼10 SCHWARZSCHILD RADII SCALE

We explore energy densities of magnetic field and relativistic electrons in the M87 jet. Since the radio core at the jet base is identical to the optically thick surface against synchrotron self absorption (SSA), the observing frequency is identical to the SSA turnover frequency. As a first step, we assume the radio core as a simple uniform sphere geometry. Using the observed angular size of the radio core measured by the Very Long Baseline Array at 43 GHz, we estimate the energy densities of magnetic field ($U_{B}$) and relativistic electrons ($U_{e}$) based on the standard SSA formula. Imposing the condition that the Poynting power and relativistic electron one should be smaller than the total power of the jet, we find that (i) the allowed range of the magnetic field strength ($B_{tot}$) is from 1 G to 15 G, and that (ii) $1 times 10^{-5} < U_{e}/U_{B} < 6 times 10^{2}$ holds. The uncertainty of $U_{e}/U_{B}$ comes from the strong dependence on the angular size of the radio core and the minimum Lorentz factor of non-thermal electrons ($gamma_{e,min}$) in the core. It is still open that the resultant energetics is consistent with either the magnetohydrodynamic jet or with kinetic power dominated jet even on ~10 Schwarzschild radii scale.

Simulations of gamma-ray burst afterglows with a relativistic kinetic code

This paper introduces a kinetic code that simulates gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglow emission from the external forward shock and presents examples of some of its applications. One interesting research topic discussed in the paper is the high-energy radiation produced by Compton scattering of the prompt GRB photons against the shock-accelerated electrons. The difference between the forward shock emission in a wind-type and a constant-density medium is also studied, and the emission due to Maxwellian electron injection is compared to the case with pure power-law electrons. The code calculates the time-evolving photon and electron distributions in the emission region by solving the relativistic kinetic equations for each particle species. For the first time, the full relativistic equations for synchrotron emission/absorption, Compton scattering, and pair production/annihilation were applied to model the forward shock emission. The synchrotron self-absorption thermalization mechanism, which shapes the low-energy end of the electron distribution, was also included in the electron equation. The simulation results indicate that inverse Compton scattering of the prompt GRB photons can produce a luminous TeV emission component, even when pair production in the emission region is taken into account. This very high-energy radiation may be observable in low-redshift GRBs. The test simulations also show that the low-energy end of a pure power-law distribution of electrons can thermalize owing to synchrotron self-absorption in a wind-type environment, but without an observable impact on the radiation spectrum. Moreover, a flattening in the forward shock X-ray light curve may be expected when the electron injection function is assumed to be purely Maxwellian instead of a power law.

MULTI-FREQUENCY OPTICAL-DEPTH MAPS AND THE CASE FOR FREE-FREE ABSORPTION IN TWO COMPACT SYMMETRIC RADIO SOURCES: THE CSO CANDIDATE J1324 + 4048 AND THE CSO J0029 + 3457

We obtained dual-polarization VLBI observations at six frequencies of the compact symmetric object J0029+3457 and the CSO candidate J1324+4048. By comparing the three lower-frequency maps with extrapolations of the high frequency maps we produced maps of the optical depth as a function of frequency. The morphology of the optical-depth maps of J1324+4048 is strikingly smooth, suggestive of a foreground screen of absorbing gas. The spectra at the intensity peaks fit a simple free-free absorption model, with a reduced chi square ~ 2, better than a simple synchrotron self-absorption model, in which the reduced chi square ~ 3.5 - 5.5. We conclude that the case for free-free absorption in J1324+4048 is strong. The optical-depth maps of J0029+3457 exhibit structure, but the morphology does not correlate with that in the intensity maps. The fit of the spectra at the peaks to a simple free-free absorption model yields a reduced chi square ~ 1, but since the turnover is gradual the fit is relatively insensitive to the input parameters. We find that free-free absorption by a thin amount of gas in J0029+3457 is likely, but not definitive. One compact feature in J0029+3457 has an inverted spectrum even at the highest frequencies. We infer this to be the location of the core and estimate an upper limit to the magnetic field of order 3 Gauss at a radius of order 1 pc. In comparison with maps from observations at earlier epochs, no apparent growth in either J1324+4048 or J0029+3457 is apparent, with upper limits of 0.03 and 0.02 mas per yr, corresponding to maximum linear separation speeds of 0.6c and 0.4c.