Synchrotron self-Compton Emission Research Articles

Very high-energy gamma-ray signature of ultrahigh-energy cosmic ray acceleration in Centaurus A

Abstract The association of at least a dozen ultrahigh-energy cosmic ray (UHECR) events with energy ≳ 55 EeV detected by the Pierre Auger Observatory from the direction of Centaurus-A, the nearest radio galaxy, supports the scenario of UHECR acceleration in the jets of radio galaxies. In this work, we model radio to very high energy (VHE,≳ 100 GeV) γ-ray emission from Cen A, including GeV hardness detected by Fermi–LAT and TeV emission detected by the High Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS). We consider two scenarios: (i) two-zone synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) and external-Compton (EC) models, (ii) two-zone SSC, EC, and photohadronic emission from cosmic ray interactions. The GeV hardness observed by Fermi–LAT can be explained using these two scenarios, where zone 2 EC emission is very important. Hadronic emission in scenario (ii) can explain VHE data with the same spectral slope as obtained through fitting UHECRs from Cen A. The peak luminosity in cosmic ray proton at 1 TeV, to explain the VHE γ-ray data is ≈2.5 × 1046 erg s−1. The bolometric luminosity in cosmic ray protons is consistent with the luminosity required to explain the origin of 13 UHECR signal events that are correlated with Cen A.

Theoretical Description of GRB 160625B with Wind-to-ISM Transition and Implications for a Magnetized Outflow

Abstract GRB 160625B, one of the brightest bursts in recent years, was simultaneously observed by Fermi and Swift satellites, and ground-based optical telescopes in three different events separated by long periods of time. In this paper, the non-thermal multiwavelength observations of GRB 160625B are described and a transition phase from wind-type-like medium to interstellar medium (ISM) between the early (event II) and the late (event III) afterglow is found. The multiwavelength observations of the early afterglow are consistent with the afterglow evolution starting at ∼150 s in a stellar wind medium, whereas the observations of the late afterglow are consistent with the afterglow evolution in ISM. The wind-to-ISM transition is calculated to be at s when the jet has decelerated, at a distance of ∼1 pc from the progenitor. Using the standard external shock model, the synchrotron and synchrotron self-Compton emission from reverse shock is required to model the GeV γ-ray and optical observations in the early afterglow, and synchrotron radiation from the adiabatic forward shock to describe the X-ray and optical observations in the late afterglow. The derived values of the magnetization parameter, the slope of the fast decay of the optical flash, and the inferred magnetic fields suggest that Poynting flux-dominated jet models with arbitrary magnetization could account for the spectral properties exhibited by GRB 160625B.

An Evolving GeV Spectrum from Prompt to Afterglow: The Case of GRB 160509A

Abstract We present the high-energy emission properties of GRB 160509A, from its prompt mission to late afterglow phase. GRB 160509A contains two emission episodes: 0–40 s and 280–420 s after the burst onset ( ). The relatively high fluence of GRB 160509A allows us to establish an evolving spectrum above 100 MeV. During the first emission episode, the >100 MeV spectrum is soft with Γ ≥ 3.0, which can be smoothly connected to keV energies with a Band function with or without a high-energy cutoff. The >100 MeV spectrum rapidly changes to a hard spectrum with Γ ≤ 1.5 after s. The existence of very energetic photons, e.g., a 52 GeV that arrives at s and a 29 GeV that arrives at ks, is hard to reconcile by the synchrotron emission from forward-shock electrons, but is likely due to an inverse-Compton (IC) mechanism (e.g., synchrotron self-Compton emission). A soft spectrum (Γ ∼ 2) between 300 and 1000 s after the burst onset is also found at a significance of about 2 standard deviations, which suggests a different emission mechanism at work for this short period of time. GRB 160509A represents the latest example where IC emission has to be taken into account in explaining the afterglow GeV emission, which had been suggested long before the launch of the Fermi Large Area Telescope.

Blazar Variability from Turbulence in Jets Launched by Magnetically Arrested Accretion Flows

Abstract Blazars show variability on timescales ranging from minutes to years, the former being comparable to and in some cases even shorter than the light-crossing time of the central black hole. The observed γ-ray light curves can be described by a power-law power density spectrum (PDS), with a similar index for both BL Lacs and flat-spectrum radio quasars. We show that this variability can be produced by turbulence in relativistic jets launched by magnetically arrested accretion flows (MADs). We perform radiative transport calculations on the turbulent, highly magnetized jet launching region of a MAD with a rapidly rotating supermassive black hole. The resulting synchrotron and synchrotron self-Compton emission, originating from close to the black hole horizon, is highly variable. This variability is characterized by PDS, which is remarkably similar to the observed power-law spectrum at frequencies less than a few per day. Furthermore, turbulence in the jet launching region naturally produces fluctuations in the plasma on scales much smaller than the horizon radius. We speculate that similar turbulent processes, operating in the jet at large radii (and therefore a high bulk Lorentz factor), are responsible for blazar variability over many decades in frequency, including on minute timescales.

MODELING THE EARLY AFTERGLOW IN THE SHORT AND HARD GRB 090510

ABSTRACT The bright, short, and hard GRB 090510 was detected by all instruments aboard the Fermi and Swift satellites. The multiwavelength observations of this burst presented similar features to the Fermi-LAT-detected gamma-ray bursts. In the framework of the external shock model of early afterglow, a leptonic scenario that evolves in a homogeneous medium is proposed to revisit GRB 090510 and explain the multiwavelength light curve observations presented in this burst. These observations are consistent with the evolution of a jet before and after the jet break. The long-lasting LAT, X-ray, and optical fluxes are explained in the synchrotron emission from the adiabatic forward shock. Synchrotron self-Compton emission from the reverse shock is consistent with the bright LAT peak provided that the progenitor environment is entrained with strong magnetic fields. It could provide compelling evidence of magnetic field amplification in the neutron star merger.

NEUTRINO, γ-RAY, AND COSMIC-RAY FLUXES FROM THE CORE OF THE CLOSEST RADIO GALAXIES

ABSTRACT The closest radio galaxies; Centaurus A (Cen A), M87, and NGC 1275, have been detected from radio wavelengths to TeV γ-rays, and also studied as high-energy neutrino and ultra-high-energy cosmic-ray (UHECR) potential emitters. Their spectral energy distributions (SEDs) show a double-peak feature, which is explained by a synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) model. However, TeV γ-ray measured spectra could suggest that very-high-energy γ-rays might have a hadronic origin. We introduce a lepto-hadronic model to describe the broadband SED; from radio to sub-GeV photons as synchrotron SSC emission and TeV γ-ray photons as neutral pion decay resulting from pγ interactions occurring close to the core. These photo-hadronic interactions take place when Fermi-accelerated protons interact with the seed photons around synchrotron SSC peaks. Obtaining a good description of the TeV γ-ray fluxes, first, we compute neutrino fluxes and events expected in the IceCube detector and, second, we estimate UHECR fluxes and the event rate expected in Telescope Array, Pierre Auger, and HiRes observatories. Within this scenario, we show that the expected high-energy neutrinos cannot explain the astrophysical flux observed by IceCube, and the connection with UHECRs observed by Auger experiment around Cen A might be possible only considering a heavy nuclei composition in the observed events.

PROBING THE BIRTH OF POST-MERGER MILLISECOND MAGNETARS WITH X-RAY AND GAMMA-RAY EMISSION

ABSTRACT There is growing evidence that a stable magnetar could be formed from the coalescence of double neutron stars. In previous papers, we investigated the signature of formation of stable millisecond magnetars in radio and optical/ultraviolet bands by assuming that the central rapidly rotating magnetar deposits its rotational energy in the form of a relativistic leptonized wind. We found that the optical transient PTF11agg could be the first evidence for the formation of post-merger millisecond magnetars. To enhance the probability of finding more evidence for the post-merger magnetar formation, it is better to extend the observational channel to other photon energy bands. In this paper, we propose to search the signature of post-merger magnetar formation in X-ray and especially gamma-ray bands. We calculate the synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) emission of the reverse shock powered by post-merger millisecond magnetars. We find that the SSC component peaks at in the spectral energy distribution and extends to for typical parameters. These energy bands are quite suitable for Fermi Large Area Telescope and Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), which, with their current observational sensitivities, can detect the SSC emission powered by post-merger magnetars up to . NuSTAR, which is sensitive in X-ray bands, can detect the formation of post-merger millisecond magnetars at redshift . Future improvements in the sensitivity of CTA can also allow us to probe the birth of post-merger millisecond magnetars at redshift . However, because of the γ−γ collisions, strong high-energy emission is clearly predicted only for ejecta masses lower than .

NuSTAR AND XMM-NEWTON OBSERVATIONS OF THE HARD X-RAY SPECTRUM OF CENTAURUS A

ABSTRACT We present simultaneous XMM-Newton and Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) observations spanning 3–78 keV of the nearest radio galaxy, Centaurus A (Cen A). The accretion geometry around the central engine in Cen A is still debated, and we investigate possible configurations using detailed X-ray spectral modeling. NuSTAR imaged the central region of Cen A with subarcminute resolution at X-ray energies above 10 keV for the first time, but found no evidence for an extended source or other off-nuclear point sources. The XMM-Newton and NuSTAR spectra agree well and can be described with an absorbed power law with a photon index Γ = 1.815 ± 0.005 and a fluorescent Fe K &agr; ?> line in good agreement with literature values. The spectrum does not require a high-energy exponential rollover, with a constraint of E fold > 1 MeV. A thermal Comptonization continuum describes the data well, with parameters that agree with values measured by INTEGRAL, in particular an electron temperature kT e between ≈100–300 keV and seed photon input temperatures between 5 and 50 eV. We do not find evidence for reflection or a broad iron line and put stringent upper limits of R < 0.01 on the reflection fraction and accretion disk illumination. We use archival Chandra data to estimate the contribution from diffuse emission, extra-nuclear point sources, and the outer X-ray jet to the observed NuSTAR and XMM-Newton X-ray spectra and find the contribution to be negligible. We discuss different scenarios for the physical origin of the observed hard X-ray spectrum and conclude that the inner disk is replaced by an advection-dominated accretion flow or that the X-rays are dominated by synchrotron self-Compton emission from the inner regions of the radio jet or a combination thereof.

A HARD GAMMA-RAY FLARE FROM 3C 279 IN 2013 DECEMBER

ABSTRACT The blazar 3C 279 exhibited twin γ-ray flares of similar intensity in 2013 December and 2014 April. In this work, we present a detailed multi-wavelength analysis of the 2013 December flaring event. Multi-frequency observations reveal the uncorrelated variability patterns with X-ray and optical–UV fluxes peaking after the γ-ray maximum. The broadband spectral energy distribution (SED) at the peak of the γ-ray activity shows a rising γ-ray spectrum but a declining optical–UV flux. This observation along with the detection of uncorrelated variability behavior rules out the one-zone leptonic emission scenario. We, therefore, adopt two independent methodologies to explain the SED: a time-dependent lepto-hadronic modeling and a two-zone leptonic radiative modeling approach. In the lepto-hadronic modeling, a distribution of electrons and protons subjected to a randomly orientated magnetic field produces synchrotron radiation. Electron synchrotron is used to explain the IR to UV emission while proton synchrotron emission is used to explain the high-energy γ-ray emission. A combination of both electron synchrotron self-Compton emission and proton synchrotron emission is used to explain the X-ray spectral break seen during the later stage of the flare. In the two-zone modeling, we assume a large emission region emitting primarily in IR to X-rays and γ-rays to come primarily from a fast-moving compact emission region. We conclude by noting that within a span of four months, 3C 279 has shown the dominance of a variety of radiative processes over each other and this reflects the complexity involved in understanding the physical properties of blazar jets in general.

SYNCHROTRON SELF-COMPTON EMISSION FROM THE CRAB AND OTHER PULSARS

Results of a simulation of synchrotron-self Compton (SSC) emission from a rotation-powered pulsar are presented. The radiating particles are assumed to be both accelerated primary electrons and a spectrum of electron-positron pairs produced in cascades near the polar cap. They follow trajectories in a slot gap using 3D force-free magnetic field geometry, gaining pitch angles through resonant cyclotron absorption of radio photons, radiating and scattering synchrotron emission at high altitudes out to and beyond the light cylinder. Full angular dependence of the synchrotron photon density is simulated in the scattering and all processes are treated in the inertial observer frame. Spectra for the Crab and Vela pulsars as well as two energetic millisecond pulsars, B1821-24 and B1937+21 are simulated using this model. The simulation of the Crab pulsar radiation can reproduce both the flux level and the shape of the observed optical to hard X-ray emission assuming a pair multiplicity of $M_+ = 3 \times 10^5$, as well as the very-high-energy emission above 50 GeV detected by MAGIC and VERITAS, with both the synchrotron and SSC components reflecting the shape of the pair spectrum. Simulations of Vela, B1821$-$24 and B1937+21, for $M_+$ up to $10^5$, do not produce pair SSC emission that is detectable by current telescopes, indicating that only Crab-like pulsars produce significant SSC components. The pair synchrotron emission matches the observed X-ray spectrum of the millisecond pulsars and the predicted peak of this emission at 1 - 10 MeV would be detectable with planned Compton telescopes.

GRB 110731A: EARLY AFTERGLOW IN STELLAR WIND POWERED BY A MAGNETIZED OUTFLOW

One of the most energetic gamma-ray bursts, GRB 110731A, was observed from an optical to GeV energy range. Previous analysis of the prompt phase revealed similarities between the Large Area Telescope (LAT) bursts observed by Fermi: (1) a delayed onset of the high-energy emission ( MeV), (2) a short-lasting bright peak at later times, and (3) a temporally extended component from this phase, lasting hundreds of seconds. Additionally to the prompt phase, multiwavelength observations over different epochs showed that the spectral energy distribution was better fitted by a wind afterglow model. We present a leptonic model based on an early afterglow that evolves in a stellar wind of its progenitor. We apply this model to interpret the temporally extended LAT emission and the brightest LAT peak exhibited by the prompt phase of GRB 110731A. Additionally, using the same set of parameters, we describe the multiwavelength afterglow observations. The origin of the temporally extended LAT, X-ray, and optical flux is explained through synchrotron radiation from the forward shock (FS) and the brightest LAT peak is described, evoking the synchrotron self-Compton emission from the reverse shock (RS). The bulk Lorentz factor required in this model (Γ ≃ 520) lies in the range of values demanded for most LAT-detected GRBs. We show that the strength of the magnetic field in the RS region is ∼50 times stronger than that in the FS region. This result suggests that, for GRB 110731A, the central engine is likely entrained with strong magnetic fields.

Synchrotron self-Compton emission by relativistic electrons under stochastic acceleration: application to Mrk 421 and Mrk 501

We examine the applicability of the stochastic electron acceleration to two high synchrotron peaked blazars, Mrk 421 and Mrk 501, assuming synchrotron self-Compton emission of gamma-rays. Our model considers an emitting region moving at relativistic speed, where non-thermal electrons are accelerated and attain a steady-state energy spectrum together with the photons they emit. The kinetic equations of the electrons and photons are solved numerically, given a stationary wave number spectrum of the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) disturbances, which are responsible for the electron acceleration and escape. Our simple formulation appears to reproduce the two well-sampled, long-term averaged photon spectra. In order to fit the model to the emission component from the radio to the X-ray bands, we need both a steeper wave spectral index than the Kolmogorov spectrum and efficient particle escape. Although the model provides a natural explanation for the high-energy cutoff of the electron energy distribution, the derived physical parameters raise a problem with an energy budget if the MHD waves with the Alfv{\'e}n velocity are assumed to be the acceleration agent.

On the gamma-ray emission from 3C 120

We report the analysis of Fermi Large Area Telescope data from five years of observations of the broad line radio galaxy 3C 120. The accumulation of larger data set results in the detection of high-energy $\gamma$-rays up to 10 GeV, with a detection significance of about $8.7\sigma$. A power-law spectrum with a photon index of $2.72\pm0.1$ and integrated flux of $F_{\gamma}=(2.35\pm0.5)\times10^{-8}\:\mathrm{photon\:cm}^{-2}s^{-1}$ above 100 MeV well describe the data averaged over five year observations. The variability analysis of the light curve with 180-, and 365- day bins reveals flux increase (nearly twice from its average level) during the last year of observation. This variability on month timescales indicates the compactness of the emitting region. The $\gamma$-ray spectrum can be described as synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) emission from the electron population producing the radio-to-X-ray emission in the jet. The required electron energy density exceeds the one of magnetic field only by a factor of 2 meaning no significant deviation from equipartition.

Particle diffusion and localized acceleration in inhomogeneous AGN jets – I. Steady-state spectra

We study the acceleration, transport, and emission of particles in relativistic jets. Localized stochastic particle acceleration, spatial diffusion, and synchrotron as well as synchrotron self-Compton emission are considered in a leptonic model. To account for inhomogeneity, we use a 2D axi-symmetric cylindrical geometry for both relativistic electrons and magnetic field. In this first phase of our work, we focus on steady-state spectra that develop from a time-dependent model. We demonstrate that small isolated acceleration region in a much larger emission volume are sufficient to accelerate particles to high energy. Diffusive escape from these small regions provides a natural explanation for the spectral form of the jet emission. The location of the acceleration regions within the jet is found to affect the cooling break of the spectrum in this diffusive model. Diffusion-caused energy-dependent inhomogeneity in the jets predicts that the SSC spectrum is harder than the synchrotron spectrum. There can also be a spectral hardening towards the high-energy section of the synchrotron spectrum, if particle escape is relatively slow. These two spectral hardening effects indicate that the jet inhomogeneity might be a natural explanation for the unexpected hard {\gamma}-ray spectra observed in some blazars.

Constraints on relativistic jets in quiescent black hole X-ray binaries from broad-band spectral modelling

The nature of black hole jets at the lowest detectable luminosities remains an open question, largely due to a dearth of observational constraints. Here, we present a new, nearly-simultaneous broadband spectrum of the black hole X-ray binary (BHXB) XTE J1118+480 at an extremely low Eddington ratio (L_x~1e-8.5 L_Edd). Our new spectral energy distribution (SED) includes the radio, near-infrared, optical, ultraviolet, and X-ray wavebands. XTE J1118 is now the second BHXB at such a low Eddington ratio with a well-sampled SED, providing new constraints on highly sub-Eddington accretion flows and jets, and opening the door for comparison studies. We apply a multi-zone jet model to the new broadband SED, and we compare our results to previous fits to the same source using the same model at 4-5 decades higher luminosity. We find that after a BHXB transitions to the so-called quiescent spectral state, the jet base becomes more compact (by up to an order of magnitude) and slightly cooler (by at least a factor of two). Our preferred model fit indicates that jet particle acceleration is weaker after the transition into quiescence. That is, accelerated non-thermal particles no longer reach high enough Lorentz factors to contribute significant amounts of synchrotron X-ray emission. Instead, the X-ray waveband is dominated by synchrotron self-Compton emission from a population of mildly relativistic electrons with a quasi-thermal velocity distribution associated with the jet base. The corresponding (thermal) synchrotron component emits primarily in the infrared through ultraviolet wavebands. Our results on XTE J1118 are consistent with broadband modeling for A0620-00 and for Sgr A*. The above could therefore represent a canonical baseline geometry for accreting black holes in quiescence. We conclude with suggestions for future studies to further investigate the above scenario.

Lepton-hadronic processes and high-energy neutrinos in NGC 1275

AbstractThe nearby active galaxy NGC 1275, has been widely detected from radio to gamma rays. Its spectral energy distribution (SED) shows a double-peak feature, which is well explained by synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) model. However, recent TeV detections might suggest that very-high-energy γ-rays (E⩾100 GeV) may not have a leptonic origin. We test a lepto-hadronic model to describe the whole SED through SSC emission and neutral pion decay resulting from pγ interactions. Also, we estimate the neutrino events expected in a km3 Cherenkov telescope.

AN INVERSE COMPTON ORIGIN FOR THE 55 GeV PHOTON IN THE LATE AFTERGLOW OF GRB 130907A

The extended high-energy gamma-ray (>100 MeV) emission which occurs well after the prompt gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) is usually explained as the afterglow synchrotron radiation. Here we report the analysis of the Fermi Large Area Telescope observations of GRB 130907A. A 55 GeV photon compatible with the position of the burst was found at about 5 hours after the prompt phase. The probability that this photon is associated with GRB 130907A is higher than 99.96%. The energy of this photon exceeds the maximum synchrotron photon energy at this time and its occurrence thus challenges the synchrotron mechanism as the origin for the extended high-energy >10 GeV emission. Modeling of the broad-band spectral energy distribution suggests that such high energy photons can be produced by the synchrotron self-Compton emission of the afterglow.

Gamma-ray fluxes from the core emission of Centaurus A: a puzzle solved

A high-energy component in the radio galaxy Centaurus A was reported after analyzing four years of Fermi data. The spectrum of this component is described by means of a broken power law with a break energy of 4 GeV and, below and above spectral indices of $\alpha_1$=2.74$\pm$0.03 and $\alpha_2$=2.09$\pm$0.20, respectively. Also a faint $\gamma$-ray flux at TeV energies was detected by H.E.S.S.. In this paper we show that the spectrum at GeV-TeV energies is described through synchrotron self-Compton emission up to a few GeV ($\sim$ 4 GeV) and $\pi^0$ decay products up to TeV energies, although the emission of synchrotron radiation by muons could contribute to the spectrum at GeV energies, if they are rapidly accelerated. Muons and $\pi^0$s are generated in the interactions of accelerated protons with two populations of seed photons which were reported by Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory: one population at intermediate state emission with energy peak of 0.15 MeV and another at low state emission with energy peak of 0.59 MeV. In addition, we show that the reported observations of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays and non high-energy neutrino detection around Centaurus A can be explained through these interactions, assuming that proton spectrum is extended up to ultra-high-energies.

THE HADRONIC ORIGIN OF THE HARD GAMMA-RAY SPECTRUM FROM BLAZAR 1ES 1101-232

The very hard $\gamma$-ray spectrum from distant blazars challenges the traditional synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) model, which may indicate that there is the contribution of an additional high-energy component beyond the SSC emission. In this paper, we study the possible origin of the hard $\gamma$-ray spectrum from distant blazars. We develop a model to explain the hard $\gamma$-ray spectrum from blazar 1ES 1101-232. In the model, the optical and X-ray radiation would come from the synchrotron radiation of primary electrons and secondary pairs, the GeV emission would be produced by the SSC process, however, the hard $\gamma$-ray spectrum would originate from the decay of neutral pion produced through proton-photon interactions with the synchrotron radiation photons within the jet. Our model can explain the observed SED of 1ES 1101-232 well, especially the very hard $\gamma$-ray spectrum. However, our model requires the very large proton power to efficiently produce the $\gamma$-ray through proton-photon interactions.

THE STUDY OF TeV VARIABILITY AND THE DUTY CYCLE OF Mrk 421 FROM 3 Yr OF OBSERVATIONS WITH THE MILAGRO OBSERVATORY

TeV flaring activity with time scales as short as tens of minutes and an orphan TeV flare have been observed from the blazar Markarian 421 (Mrk 421). The TeV emission from Mrk 421 is believed to be produced by leptonic synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) emission. In this scenario, correlations between the X-ray and the TeV fluxes are expected, TeV orphan flares are hardly explained and the activity (measured as duty cycle) of the source at TeV energies is expected to be equal or less than that observed in X-rays if only SSC is considered. To estimate the TeV duty cycle of Mrk 421 and to establish limits on its variability at different time scales, we continuously observed Mrk 421 with the Milagro observatory. Mrk 421 was detected by Milagro with a statistical significance of 7.1 standard deviations between 2005 September 21 and 2008 March 15. The observed spectrum is consistent with previous observations by VERITAS. We estimate the duty cycle of Mrk 421 for energies above 1 TeV for different hypothesis of the baseline flux and for different flare selections and we compare our results with the X-ray duty cycle estimated by Resconi et al. 2009. The robustness of the results is discussed.