Synchrotron self-Compton models of high brightness temperature radio sources |
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| Authors: | Olivia Tsang J G Kirk |
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| Institution: | (1) Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Heidelberg, Germany |
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| Abstract: | We re-examine the maximum brightness temperature that a synchrotron source can sustain by adapting standard synchrotron theory
to an electron distribution that exhibits a deficit at low energy. The absence of low energy electrons reduces the absorption
of synchrotron photons, allowing the source to reach a higher brightness temperature without the onset of catastrophic cooling.
We find that a temperature of ∼1014 K is possible at GHz frequencies. In addition, a high degree of intrinsic circular polarisation is produced. We compute the
stationary, synchrotron and self-Compton spectrum arising from the continuous injection of such a distribution (modelled as
a double power-law) balanced by radiative losses and escape, and compare it with the simultaneously observed multi-wavelength
spectrum of the BL Lac object S5 0716+714. This framework may provide an explanation of other high brightness-temperature
sources without the need for mechanisms such as coherent emission or proton synchrotron radiation. |
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| Keywords: | Galaxies Active galaxies High redshift galaxies Jets |
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