scholarly journals Morphology of radio relics – I. What causes the substructure of synchrotron emission?

2020 ◽  
Vol 500 (1) ◽  
pp. 795-816
Author(s):  
P Domínguez-Fernández ◽  
M Brüggen ◽  
F Vazza ◽  
W E Banda-Barragán ◽  
K Rajpurohit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Mach Number ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Shock Acceleration ◽  
Synchrotron Emission ◽  
Diffusive Shock Acceleration ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Index Maps

ABSTRACT High-resolution radio observations of cluster radio relics often show complex spatial and spectral features. However, it is not clear what these features reveal about the underlying magnetic field properties. We performed three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamical simulations of merger shock waves propagating through a magnetized, turbulent intracluster medium. Our model includes the diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) of cosmic ray electrons, their spatial advection and energy losses at run-time. With this set-up we can investigate the relation between radio substructure and pre-shock plasma conditions in the host cluster. We find that upstream turbulence plays a major role in shaping the properties of radio relics produced downstream. Within the assumption of DSA, we can reproduce the observed discrepancy between the X-ray derived Mach number of shocks, and the Mach number inferred from radio spectra. Our simulated spectral index maps and profiles across the radio relic also suggest that the standard deviation of the upstream magnetic field must be relatively small ($\sigma _B\le 1 \, \mu$G) in order to reproduce observations and therefore radio relics can potentially constrain the distribution of magnetic fields in galaxy clusters outskirts.

scholarly journals Radio observations of the merging galaxy cluster Abell 520

2019 ◽  
Vol 622 ◽  
pp. A20 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. N. Hoang ◽  
T. W. Shimwell ◽  
R. J. van Weeren ◽  
G. Brunetti ◽  
H. J. A. Röttgering ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mach Number ◽  
Radio Emission ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Galaxy Cluster ◽  
Shock Acceleration ◽  
Relativistic Electrons ◽  
Diffusive Shock Acceleration ◽  
Cluster Emission ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Extended Radio

Context. Extended synchrotron radio sources are often observed in merging galaxy clusters. Studies of the extended emission help us to understand the mechanisms in which the radio emitting particles gain their relativistic energies. Aims. We examine the possible acceleration mechanisms of the relativistic particles that are responsible for the extended radio emission in the merging galaxy cluster Abell 520. Methods. We performed new 145 MHz observations with the LOw Frequency ARay (LOFAR) and combined these with archival Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) 323 MHz and Very Large Array (VLA) 1.5 GHz data to study the morphological and spectral properties of extended cluster emission. The observational properties are discussed in the framework of particle acceleration models associated with cluster merger turbulence and shocks. Results. In Abell 520, we confirm the presence of extended (760 × 950 kpc2) synchrotron radio emission that has been classified as a radio halo. The comparison between the radio and X-ray brightness suggests that the halo might originate in a cocoon rather than from the central X-ray bright regions of the cluster. The halo spectrum is roughly uniform on the scale of 66 kpc. There is a hint of spectral steepening from the SW edge towards the cluster centre. Assuming diffusive shock acceleration (DSA), the radio data are suggestive of a shock Mach number of ℳSW = 2.6−0.2+0.3 that is consistent with the X-ray derived estimates. This is in agreement with the scenario in which relativistic electrons in the SW radio edge gain their energies at the shock front via acceleration of either thermal or fossil electrons. We do not detect extended radio emission ahead of the SW shock that is predicted if the emission is the result of adiabatic compression. An X-ray surface brightness discontinuity is detected towards the NE region that may be a counter shock of Mach number ℳNEX = 1.52±0.05. This is lower than the value predicted from the radio emission which, assuming DSA, is consistent with ℳNE = 2.1 ± 0.2. Conclusions. Our observations indicate that the radio emission in the SW of Abell 520 is likely effected by the prominent X-ray detected shock in which radio emitting particles are (re-)accelerated through the Fermi-I mechanism. The NE X-ray discontinuity that is approximately collocated with an edge in the radio emission hints at the presence of a counter shock.

scholarly journals X-ray and Radio Observations of the Radio Relic Galaxy Clusters 1RXS J0603.3+4214 and RXC J1053.7+5453

Galaxies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Motokazu Takizawa
Keyword(s):  
Mach Number ◽  
Galaxy Clusters ◽  
Galaxy Cluster ◽  
Shock Acceleration ◽  
Temperature Structure ◽  
Radio Observations ◽  
Diffusive Shock Acceleration ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Acceleration Model ◽  
The Galaxy

We study two galaxy clusters with radio relics, 1RXS J0603.3+4214 and RXC J1053.7+5453, through X-ray and radio observations. Radio relics are diffuse non-thermal radio sources found in outskirts of galaxy clusters. Because of their shape and location, they are thought to be related to cluster merger shocks. The galaxy cluster 1RXS J0603.3+4214 has a well-known linear-shape “toothbrush” radio relic. We investigate the temperature structure across the relic to constrain the Mach number of the associated shock. The results are compared with radio spectral results, which suggest that a simple diffusive shock acceleration model does not hold for this relic. The RXC J1053.7+5453 harbors a standard arc-like relic. We also get the Mach number from the temperature profile. In addition, we found an edge-like structure in the X-ray image between the X-ray peak and relic. We investigate the density and temperature profiles across the edge and found that the structure is likely relevant to not a shock but a contact discontinuity.

scholarly journals On the influence of supra-thermal particle acceleration on the morphology of low-Mach, high-β shocks

2020 ◽  
Vol 496 (3) ◽  
pp. 3198-3208
Author(s):  
Allard Jan van Marle
Keyword(s):  
Mach Number ◽  
Galaxy Cluster ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Shock Acceleration ◽  
Diffusive Shock Acceleration ◽  
Particle Injection ◽  
Particle In Cell ◽  
Injection Process ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
High Computational Efficiency

ABSTRACT When two galaxy clusters encounter each other, the interaction results in a collisionless shock that is characterized by a low (1–4) sonic Mach number, and a high-Alfvénic Mach number. Our goal is to determine if, and to what extent, such shocks can accelerate particles to sufficient velocities that they can contribute to the cosmic ray spectrum. We combine two different computational methods, magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) and particle-in-cell (PIC) into a single code that allows us to take advantage of the high computational efficiency of MHD while maintaining the ability to model the behaviour of individual non-thermal particles. Using this method, we perform a series of simulations covering the expected parameter space of galaxy cluster collision shocks. Our results show that for shocks with a sonic Mach number below 2.25 no diffusive shock acceleration can take place because of a lack of instabilities in the magnetic field, whereas for shocks with a sonic Mach number $\ge \, 3$ the acceleration is efficient and can accelerate particles to relativistic speeds. In the regime between these two extremes, diffusive shock acceleration can occur but is relatively inefficient because of the time- and space-dependent nature of the instabilities. For those shocks that show efficient acceleration, the instabilities in the upstream gas increase to the point where they change the nature of the shock, which, in turn, will influence the particle injection process.

scholarly journals Cosmic rays and stochastic magnetic reconnection in the heliotail

2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Desiati ◽  
A. Lazarian
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Magnetic Reconnection ◽  
Supernova Remnants ◽  
Average Energy ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Rays ◽  
Shock Acceleration ◽  
Diffusive Shock Acceleration ◽  
The Galaxy

Abstract. Galactic cosmic rays are believed to be generated by diffusive shock acceleration processes in Supernova Remnants, and the arrival direction is likely determined by the distribution of their sources throughout the Galaxy, in particular by the nearest and youngest ones. Transport to Earth through the interstellar medium is expected to affect the cosmic ray properties as well. However, the observed anisotropy of TeV cosmic rays and its energy dependence cannot be explained with diffusion models of particle propagation in the Galaxy. Within a distance of a few parsec, diffusion regime is not valid and particles with energy below about 100 TeV must be influenced by the heliosphere and its elongated tail. The observation of a highly significant localized excess region of cosmic rays from the apparent direction of the downstream interstellar flow at 1–10 TeV energies might provide the first experimental evidence that the heliotail can affect the transport of energetic particles. In particular, TeV cosmic rays propagating through the heliotail interact with the 100–300 AU wide magnetic field polarity domains generated by the 11 yr cycles. Since the strength of non-linear convective processes is expected to be larger than viscous damping, the plasma in the heliotail is turbulent. Where magnetic field domains converge on each other due to solar wind gradient, stochastic magnetic reconnection likely occurs. Such processes may be efficient enough to re-accelerate a fraction of TeV particles as long as scattering processes are not strong. Therefore, the fractional excess of TeV cosmic rays from the narrow region toward the heliotail direction traces sightlines with the lowest smearing scattering effects, that can also explain the observation of a harder than average energy spectrum.

scholarly journals Particle acceleration and magnetic field amplification in massive young stellar object jets

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anabella T Araudo ◽  
Marco Padovani ◽  
Alexandre Marcowith
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Maximum Energy ◽  
Shock Acceleration ◽  
Relativistic Electrons ◽  
Diffusive Shock Acceleration ◽  
Field Amplification ◽  
Protostellar Jets ◽  
Γ Rays ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract Synchrotron radio emission from non-relativistic jets powered by massive protostars has been reported, indicating the presence of relativistic electrons and magnetic fields of strength ∼0.3 −5 mG. We study diffusive shock acceleration and magnetic field amplification in protostellar jets with speeds between 300 and 1500 km s−1. We show that the magnetic field in the synchrotron emitter can be amplified by the non-resonant hybrid (Bell) instability excited by the cosmic-ray streaming. By combining the synchrotron data with basic theory of Bell instability we estimate the magnetic field in the synchrotron emitter and the maximum energy of protons. Protons can achieve maximum energies in the range 0.04 − 0.65 TeV and emit γ rays in their interaction with matter fields. We predict detectable levels of γ rays in IRAS 16547-5247 and IRAS 16848-4603. The γ ray flux can be significantly enhanced by the gas mixing due to Rayleigh-Taylor instability. The detection of this radiation by the Fermi satellite in the GeV domain and the forthcoming Cherenkov Telescope Array at higher energies may open a new window to study the formation of massive stars, as well as diffusive acceleration and magnetic field amplification in shocks with velocities of about 1000 km s−1.

scholarly journals Effects of the solar wind termination shock and heliosheath on theheliospheric modulation of galactic and anomalous Helium

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 3063-3072 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. W. Langner ◽  
M. S. Potgieter
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Magnetic Polarity ◽  
Termination Shock ◽  
Shock Acceleration ◽  
Diffusive Shock Acceleration ◽  
Cosmic Ray Modulation ◽  
Low Energies ◽  
Solar Wind Termination Shock ◽  
Charge Sign

Abstract. The interest in the role of the solar wind termination shock and heliosheath in cosmic ray modulation studies has increased significantly as the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft approach the estimated position of the solar wind termination shock. The effect of the solar wind termination shock on charge-sign dependent modulation, as is experienced by galactic cosmic ray Helium (He++) and anomalous Helium (He+), is the main topic of this work, and is complementary to the previous work on protons, anti-protons, electrons, and positrons. The modulation of galactic and anomalous Helium is studied with a numerical model including a more fundamental and comprehensive set of diffusion coefficients, a solar wind termination shock with diffusive shock acceleration, a heliosheath and particle drifts. The model allows a comparison of modulation with and without a solar wind termination shock and is applicable to a number of cosmic ray species during both magnetic polarity cycles of the Sun. The modulation of Helium, including an anomalous component, is also done to establish charge-sign dependence at low energies. We found that the heliosheath is important for cosmic ray modulation and that its effect on modulation is very similar for protons and Helium. The local Helium interstellar spectrum may not be known at energies

scholarly journals Thermalization of synchrotron radiation from field-aligned currents

1988 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 493-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Peter ◽  
Anthony L. Peratt
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Synchrotron Radiation ◽  
Energy Density ◽  
Radiation Spectrum ◽  
Axial Magnetic Field ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Synchrotron Emission ◽  
Microwave Background ◽  
Strong Function ◽  
Current Filaments

Three-dimensional plasma simulations of interacting galactic-dimensioned current filaments show bursts of synchroton radiation of energy density 1·2 ×10−13 erg/cm3 which can be compared with the measured cosmic microwave background energy density of 1·5 × 10−13 erg/cm3. However, the synchrotron emission observed in the simulations is not blackbody. In this paper, we analyze the absorption of the synchrotron emission by the current filaments themselves (i.e., self-absorption) in order to investigate the thermalization of the emitted radiation. It is found that a large number of current filaments (>1031) are needed to make the radiation spectrum blackbody up to the observed measured frequency of 100 GHz. The radiation spectrum and the required number of current filaments is a strong function of the axial magnetic field in the filaments.

AGN torus threaded by large scale magnetic field

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (10) ◽  
pp. 1844006
Author(s):  
A. Dorodnitsyn ◽  
T. Kallman
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Angular Momentum ◽  
Accretion Disk ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Radiative Feedback ◽  
Large Scale Magnetic Field ◽  
Three Dimensional Simulations

Large scale magnetic field can be easily dragged from galactic scales toward AGN along with accreting gas. There, it can contribute to both the formation of AGN “torus” and help to remove angular momentum from the gas which fuels AGN accretion disk. However the dynamics of such gas is also strongly influenced by the radiative feedback from the inner accretion disk. Here we present results from the three-dimensional simulations of pc-scale accretion which is exposed to intense X-ray heating.

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