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arXiv 1303.6664astro-ph.HEastro-ph.CO
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FR I射电星系喷流基底的光谱:粒子加速的意义

The spectra of jet bases in FR I radio galaxies: implications for particle acceleration

R. A. Laing, A. H. Bridle

摘要:

我们提出了准确的,空间分辨成像的射电光谱在11个低光度(Fanaroff-Riley I)射电星系,来自甚大阵(VLA)的观测的基础上的喷流。我们非常注意校准以及随机误差和系统误差的影响,并且我们将Perley & Butler(2013)对VLA初级振幅校准器的最新测量结果作为通量密度标度的基础。我们展示了在1.4 - 8.5 GHz的频率范围内的光谱指数的图像和配置文件,连同由我们的相对论模型的射流定义的基准区域集成的值。我们发现,在所有的喷流中,光谱指数(光谱指数)随着离核的距离而减小。平均光谱指数为0.66 +/- 0.01,其中喷流首先突然变亮,在它们变亮后为0.59 +/- 0.01。这些位置之间的光谱指数的平均变化是-0.067 +/- 0.006,这与校准和通量密度标度误差无关,因此测量得更准确和更可靠。我们的喷流模型将光谱指数的降低与气流从0.8c到<0.5c的整体减速相关联。我们认为,减少是由于正在进行的粒子加速的特性的变化。一种可能的加速机制是在温和相对论冲击波中的一阶费米过程:在玻姆极限下,电子能谱的指数p略大于2,并随着冲击波上游的速度而减小。这种可能性与我们的测量结果是一致的,但需要整个喷流体积的冲击,而不是在几个离散的位置。第二种可能性是两种加速机制在这些喷流中起作用:一种(p = 2.32)在靠近星系核的地方占主导地位,与高流速有关,另一种(p = 2.18)在更大的距离和更慢的流速下起主导作用。

英文摘要:

We present accurate, spatially resolved imaging of radio spectra at the bases of jets in eleven low-luminosity (Fanaroff-Riley I) radio galaxies, derived from Very Large Array (VLA) observations. We pay careful attention to calibration and to the effects of random and systematic errors, and we base the flux-density scale on recent measurements of VLA primary amplitude calibrators by Perley & Butler (2013). We show images and profiles of spectral index over the frequency range 1.4 - 8.5 GHz, together with values integrated over fiducial regions defined by our relativistic models of the jets. We find that the spectral index decreases (the spectrum flattens) with distance from the nucleus in all of the jets. The mean spectral indices are 0.66 +/- 0.01 where the jets first brighten abruptly and 0.59 +/- 0.01 after they recollimate. The mean change in spectral index between these locations, which is independent of calibration and flux-density scale errors and is therefore more accurately and robustly measured, is -0.067 +/- 0.006. Our jet models associate the decrease in spectral index with a bulk deceleration of the flow from 0.8c to <0.5c. We suggest that the decrease is the result of a change in the characteristics of ongoing particle acceleration. One possible acceleration mechanism is the first-order Fermi process in mildly relativistic shocks: in the Bohm limit, the index of the electron energy spectrum, p, is slightly larger than 2 and decreases with velocity upstream of the shock. This possibility is consistent with our measurements, but requires shocks throughout the jet volume rather than at a few discrete locations. A second possibility is that two acceleration mechanisms operate in these jets: one (with p = 2.32) dominant close to the galactic nucleus and associated with high flow speeds, another (with p = 2.18) taking over at larger distances and slower flow speeds.

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