We present an X-ray and radio study of the famous `El Gordo', a massive and distant ($z=0.87$) galaxy cluster. In the deep (340 ks) Chandra observation, the cluster appears with an elongated and cometary morphology, a sign of its current merging state. The GMRT radio observations at 610 MHz reveal the presence of a radio halo which remarkably overlaps the X-ray cluster emission and connects a couple of radio relics. We detect a strong shock ($\mathcal{M}\gtrsim3$) in the NW periphery of the cluster, co-spatially located with the radio relic. This is the most distant ($z=0.87$) and one of the strongest shock detected in a galaxy cluster. This work supports the relic-shock connection and allows to investigate the origin of these radio sources in a uncommon regime of $\mathcal{M}\gtrsim3$. For this particular case we found that shock acceleration from the thermal pool is still a viable possibility.
Radio relics in galaxy clusters are giant diffuse synchrotron sources powered in cluster outskirts by merger shocks. Although the relic-shock connection has been consolidated in recent years by a number of observations, the details of the mechanisms leading to the formation of relativistic particles in this environment are still not well understood. The diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) theory is a commonly adopted scenario to explain the origin of cosmic rays at astrophysical shocks, including those in radio relics in galaxy clusters. However, in a few specific cases it has been shown that t…
We present 610 MHz and 2.1 GHz imaging of the massive SZE-selected z=0.870 cluster merger ACT-CL J0102-4915 (El Gordo), obtained with the GMRT and the ATCA, respectively. We detect two complexes of radio relics separated by 3.4' (1.6 Mpc) along the system's NW-to-SE collision axis that have high integrated polarizations (33%) and steep spectral indices, consistent with creation via Fermi acceleration by shocks in the ICM. From the spectral index of the relics, we compute a Mach number of 2.5^{+0.7}_{-0.3} and shock speed of 2500^{+400}_{-300} km/s. With our ATCA data, we compute the Faraday de…
Radio relics are Mpc-scale diffuse radio sources at the peripheries of galaxy clusters which are thought to trace outgoing merger shocks. We present XMM-Newton and Suzaku observations of the galaxy cluster Abell 2744 (z=0.306), which reveal the presence of a shock front 1.5 Mpc East of the cluster core. The surface-brightness jump coincides with the position of a known radio relic. Although the surface-brightness jump indicates a weak shock with a Mach number $\mathcal{M}=1.7_{-0.3}^{+0.5}$, the plasma in the post-shock region has been heated to a very high temperature ($\sim13$ keV) by the pa…
With Australia Telescope Compact Array observations, we detect a highly elongated Mpc-scale diffuse radio source on the eastern periphery of the Bullet cluster 1E0657-55.8, which we argue has the positional, spectral and polarimetric characteristics of a radio relic. This powerful relic (2.3+/-0.1 x 10^25 W Hz^-1) consists of a bright northern bulb and a faint linear tail. The bulb emits 94% of the observed radio flux and has the highest surface brightness of any known relic. Exactly coincident with the linear tail we find a sharp X-ray surface brightness edge in the deep Chandra image of the …
Recent radio observations have identified a class of structures, so-called radio relics, in clusters of galaxies. The radio emission from these sources is interpreted as synchrotron radiation from GeV electrons gyrating in microG-level magnetic fields. Radio relics, located mostly in the outskirts of clusters, seem to associate with shock waves, especially those developed during mergers. In fact, they seem to be good structures to identify and probe such shocks in intracluster media (ICMs), provided we understand the electron acceleration and re-acceleration at those shocks. In this paper, we …
We analyzed a deep Chandra observation (334 ks) of the galaxy cluster Abell 115 and detected a shock co-spatial with the radio relic. The X-ray surface brightness profile across the shock region presents a discontinuity, corresponding to a density compression factor $\mathcal{C}=2.0\pm0.1$ leading to a Mach number $\mathcal{M}=1.7\pm0.1$ ($\mathcal{M}=1.4-2$ including systematics). Temperatures measured in the upstream and downstream regions are consistent with what expected for such a shock: $T_u=4.3^{+1.0}_{-0.6}\:\rm{keV}$ and $T_d=7.9^{+1.4}_{-1.1}\:\rm{keV}$ respectively, implying a Mach …
The origin of radio relics is usually explained via diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) or re-acceleration of electrons at/from merger shocks in galaxy clusters. The case of acceleration is challenged by the low predicted efficiency of low-Mach number merger shocks, unable to explain the power observed in most radio relics. In this Letter we present the discovery of a new giant radio relic around the galaxy cluster Abell 2249 ($z=0.0838$) using LOFAR. It is special since it has the lowest surface brightness of all known radio relics. We study its radio and X-ray properties combinig LOFAR data w…
Radio relics, elongated, non-thermal, structures located at the edges of galaxy clusters, are the result of synchrotron radiation from cosmic-ray electrons accelerated by merger-driven shocks at the cluster outskirts. However, X-ray observations of such shocks in some clusters suggest that they are too weak to efficiently accelerate electrons via diffusive shock acceleration to energies required to produce the observed radio power. We examine this issue in the merging galaxy cluster Abell 3667 (A3667), which hosts a pair of radio relics. While the Northwest relic in A3667 has been well studied…
In this paper we address the question why cluster radio relics that are connected to shock acceleration, so-called radio gischt, have preferentially been found in the outskirts of galaxy clusters. By identifying merger shock waves in cosmological grid simulations, we explore several prescriptions for relating the energy dissipated in shocks to the energy emitted in the radio band. None of the investigated models produce detectable radio relics within 100-200 kpc from the cluster centre. All models cause > 50 per cent of the detectable relic emission at projected distances > 800 kpc. Central ra…
Radio relics in galaxy clusters are thought to be associated with powerful shock waves that accelerate particles via diffusive shock acceleration (DSA). Among the particles accelerated by DSA, relativistic protons should outnumber electrons by a large factor. While the relativistic electrons emit synchrotron emission detectable in the radio band, the protons interact with the thermal gas to produce gamma-rays in hadronic interactions. Using simple models for the propagation of shock waves through clusters, the distribution of thermal gas and the efficiency of DSA, we find that the resulting ha…
Abell 3667 is the archetype of a merging cluster with radio relics. The NW radio relic is the brightest cluster relic or halo known, and is believed to be due to a strong merger shock. We have observed the NW relic for 40 ksec of net XMM time. We observe a global decline of temperature across the relic from 6 to 1 keV, similar to the Suzaku results. Our new observations reveal a sharp change of both temperature and surface brightness near the position of the relic. The increased X-ray emission on the relic can be equivalently well described by either a thermal or nonthermal spectral model. The…
This is the second paper in a series of studies of the Coma cluster using the SRG/eROSITA X-ray data obtained during the calibration and performance verification phase of the mission. Here, we focus on the region adjacent to the radio source 1253+275 (radio relic, RR, hereafter). We show that the X-ray surface brightness exhibits its steepest gradient at $\sim 79'$ ($\sim 2.2\,{\rm Mpc}\approx R_{200c}$), which is almost co-spatial to the outer edge of the RR. As in the case of several other relics, the Mach number of the shock derived from the X-ray surface brightness profile ($M_X\approx 1.9…
Radio relics in galaxy clusters are extended synchrotron sources produced by cosmic-ray electrons in the $μ$G magnetic field. Many relics are found in the cluster periphery and have a cluster-centric, narrow arc-like shape, which suggests that the electrons are accelerated or re-accelerated by merger shock fronts propagating outward in the intracluster plasma. In the X-ray, some relics do exhibit such shocks at the location of the relic, but many do not. We explore the possibility that radio relics trace not the shock fronts but the shape of the underlying distribution of seed relativistic ele…
Giant radio relics are the arc-shaped diffuse radio emission regions observed in the outskirts of some merging galaxy clusters. They are believed to trace shock-waves in the intra-cluster medium. Recent observations demonstrated that some prominent radio relics exhibit a steepening above 2 GHz in their radio spectrum. This challenges standard theoretical models because shock acceleration is expected to accelerate electrons to very high energies with a power-law distribution in momentum. In this work we attempt to reconcile these data with the shock-acceleration scenario. We propose that the sp…
We explore the shock acceleration model for giant radio relics, in which relativistic electrons are accelerated via diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) by merger-driven shocks in the outskirts of galaxy clusters. In addition to DSA, turbulent acceleration by compressive MHD mode downstream of the shock is included as well as energy losses of postshock electrons by Coulomb scattering, synchrotron emission, and inverse Compton scattering off the cosmic background radiation. Considering that only a small fraction of merging clusters host radio relics, we favor the reacceleration scenario in which …
Although radio relics are understood to originate in intracluster shock waves resulting from merger shocks, the most widely used model for describing this (re-)acceleration process at shock fronts, the diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) model, has several challenges, including the fact that it is inefficient at low shock Mach numbers. In light of these challenges, it is worthwhile to consider alternative mechanisms. One possibility is the adiabatic compression by a shock wave of a residual fossil electron population which has been left over from a radio galaxy jet. This paper applies this mode…
Radio relics are giant ($\sim$Mpc) synchrotron sources that are believed to be produced by the (re)acceleration of cosmic-ray electrons (CRe) by shocks in the intracluster medium. In this numerical study, we focus on the possibility that some radio relics may arise when electrons undergo diffusive shock acceleration at multiple shocks in the outskirts of merging galaxy clusters. This multi-shock (MS) scenario appears viable to produce CRe that emit visible synchrotron emission. We show that electrons that have been shocked multiple times develop an energy spectrum that significantly differs fr…
The spectrum and event rate of supernova relic neutrinos are calculated taking into account the dependence on the time it takes for the shock wave in supernova cores to revive. The shock revival time should depend on the still unknown explosion mechanism of collapse-driven supernovae. The contribution of black-hole-forming failed supernovae is also considered. The total event rate is higher for models with a longer shock revival time and/or a failed-supernova contribution. The hardness of the spectrum does not strongly depend on the shock revival time, but the spectrum becomes hard owing to th…
Some galaxy clusters show diffuse radio emission in the form of peripheral relics (so far attributed to primary, shock-(re)accelerated electrons) or central halos. Analysing radio and X-ray data from the literature, we find new connections between halos and relics, such as a universal linear relation between their peak radio brightness and the gas column density. Our results indicate that halos, relics, and halo-relic bridges in a cluster, all arise from the same, homogeneous cosmic ray (CR) ion (CRI) distribution. We analytically derive the signature of synchrotron emission from secondary ele…
The results of long XMM-Newton X-ray observations of the NW radio relic of Abell 3667 are presented. A shock is detected at the sharp outer edge of the radio relic, both in the X-ray surface brightness and the temperature profiles. The Mach number is M = 2.54^+0.80_-0.43. The temperature jump at the shock is larger than expected from the density jump, which may indicate that a dynamically important magnetic field aligned primarily parallel to the shock front is present. The gas temperature rises gradually over several arc minutes within the shock region. This could indicate that the shock ener…
Many bright radio relics in the outskirts of galaxy clusters have low inferred Mach numbers, defying expectations from shock acceleration theory and heliospheric observations that the injection efficiency of relativistic particles plummets at low Mach numbers. With a suite of cosmological simulations, we follow the diffusive shock acceleration as well as radiative and Coulomb cooling of cosmic ray electrons during the assembly of a cluster. We find a substantial population of fossil electrons. When reaccelerated at a shock (through diffusive shock acceleration), they are competitive with direc…
Giant radio relics are arc-like structures of diffuse, non-thermal synchrotron radiation that trace shock waves induced by galaxy cluster mergers. The particle (re-)acceleration mechanism producing such radio relics is unclear. One major open question is whether relics can be formed directly from a population of thermal seed electrons, or if pre-existing relativistic seed electrons are required. In some cases AGN can provide such a population of sub-GeV electrons. However, it is unclear how common this connection is. In this paper we present LOFAR 140 MHz and VLA L-band radio observations, as …
Weak shocks in the intracluster medium may accelerate cosmic-ray protons and cosmic-ray electrons differently depending on the angle between the upstream magnetic field and the shock normal. In this work, we investigate how shock obliquity affects the production of cosmic rays in high-resolution simulations of galaxy clusters. For this purpose, we performed a magneto-hydrodynamical simulation of a galaxy cluster using the mesh refinement code \enzo. We use Lagrangian tracers to follow the properties of the thermal gas, the cosmic rays and the magnetic fields over time. We tested a number of di…
Although many of the observed properties of giant radio relics detected in the outskirts of galaxy clusters can be explained by relativistic electrons accelerated at merger-driven shocks, significant puzzles remain. In the case of the so-called Toothbrush relic, the shock Mach number estimated from X-ray observations ($M_{\rm X}\approx1.2-1.5$) is substantially weaker than that inferred from the radio spectral index ($M_{\rm rad}\approx2.8$).Toward understanding such a discrepancy, we here consider the following diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) models:(1) weak-shock models with $M_{\rm s}\le…
CIZA J2242.8+5301 is a post-core passage, binary merging cluster that hosts a large, thin, arc-like radio relic, nicknamed the `Sausage', tracing a relatively strong shock front. We perform spatially-resolved spectral fitting to the available radio data for this radio relic, using a variety of spectral ageing models, with the aim of finding a consistent set of parameters for the shock and radio plasma. We determine an injection index of $0.77^{+0.03}_{-0.02}$ for the relic plasma, significantly steeper than was found before. Standard particle acceleration at the shock front implies a Mach numb…
Galaxy cluster merger shocks are the main agent for the thermalization of the intracluster medium and the energization of cosmic ray particles in it. Shock propagation changes the state of the tenuous intracluster plasma, and the corresponding signal variations are measurable with the current generation of X-ray and Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) effect instruments. Additionally, non-thermal electrons (re-)energized by the shocks sometimes give rise to extended and luminous synchrotron sources known as radio relics, which are prominent indicators of shocks propagating roughly in the plane of the sky.…
Imprints of galaxy cluster formation processes are visible in the intracluster medium and can arise in shock fronts, which are detectable via discontinuities in e.g. the gas temperature and density profiles. In this study, we investigate the X-ray properties of the intracluster gas and the radio morphology of the extraordinary cluster A2163. This cluster shows an irregular morphology in various wavelengths and has one of the most luminous and extended known radio halos. Additionally, it is one of the hottest clusters known. We analyze two Suzaku observations of A2163, one in the north-east (NE…
Radio relics are diffuse radio sources in galaxy clusters that are associated with merger shock waves. Detailed observations of radio relics in total intensity and in polarisation show complex structures on kiloparsec scales. The relation between the observed features and the underlying morphology of the magnetic field is not clear. Using three-dimensional magneto-hydrodynamical simulations, we study the polarised emission produced by a shock wave that propagates through a turbulent medium that resembles the intracluster medium. We model the polarised synchrotron emission on the basis of diffu…
We present LOFAR $120-168$ MHz images of the merging galaxy cluster Abell 1240 that hosts double radio relics. In combination with the GMRT $595-629$ MHz and VLA $2-4$ GHz data, we characterised the spectral and polarimetric properties of the radio emission. The spectral indices for the relics steepen from their outer edges towards the cluster centre and the electric field vectors are approximately perpendicular to the major axes of the relics. The results are consistent with the picture that these relics trace large-scale shocks propagating outwards during the merger. Assuming diffusive shock…
Zooming in on radio relics -- II. How relic morphology probes density fluctuations at the edge of galaxy clusters
Leibniz-Institut für Astrophysik Potsdam (AIP)（波茨坦莱布尼茨天体物理研究所）；Max-Planck-Institut für Astrophysik（马克斯·普朗克天体物理研究所）；Universität Potsdam（波茨坦大学）；Universität Heidelberg（海德堡大学）
Radio relics are synchrotron emission found on the periphery of galaxy clusters. From the position and the morphology, it is often believed that the relics are generated by cosmic-ray (CR) electrons accelerated at shocks through a diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) mechanism. However, some radio relics have harder spectra than the prediction of the standard DSA model. One example is observed in the cluster 1RXS J0603.3+4214, which is often called the ``Toothbrush Cluster''. Interestingly, the position of the relic is shifted from that of a possible shock. In this study, we show that these disc…
Context. Radio relics in galaxy clusters are known to be good laboratories for verification of the applicability of the diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) model in its canonical version. The need for such verification stems from the inconsistencies in the shock properties resulting from radio observations compared to X-ray observations. Aims. In this article we aim to explore how the presence of a second shock in the vicinity of a relic modifies the spectrum of accelerated electrons and decipher which of the involved parameters can have a significant impact on their shape. Methods. We analytic…
On the largest scales, the Universe consists of voids and filaments making up the cosmic web. Galaxy clusters are located at the knots in this web, at the intersection of filaments. Clusters grow through accretion from these large-scale filaments and by mergers with other clusters and groups. In a growing number of galaxy clusters, elongated Mpc-size radio sources have been found, so-called radio relics. These relics are thought to trace relativistic electrons in the intracluster plasma accelerated by low-Mach number collisionless shocks generated by cluster-cluster merger events. A long-stand…
We present the results of Suzaku observations of the galaxy cluster 1RXS J0603.3+4214 with "toothbrush" radio relic. Although a shock with Mach number $M \simeq 4$ is expected at the outer edge of the relic from the radio observation, our temperature measurements of the intracluster medium indicate a weaker temperature difference than what is expected. The Mach number estimated from the temperature difference at the outer edge of the relic is $M \simeq 1.5$, which is significantly lower than the value estimated from the radio data even considering both statistical and systematic errors. This s…
Diffuse radio emission in the form of radio halos and relics has been found in a number of merging galaxy clusters. These structures indicate that shock and turbulence associated with the merger accelerate electrons to relativistic energies. We report the discovery of a radio relic + radio halo system in PSZ1 G108.18-11.53 (z=0.335). This cluster hosts the second most powerful double radio relic system ever discovered. We observed PSZ1 G108.18-11.53 with the Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope (GMRT) and the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT). We obtained radio maps at 147, 323, 607 and 1…
Radio relics are vast synchrotron sources that sit on the outskirts of merging galaxy clusters. In this work we model their formation using a Press-Schechter formalism to simulate merger rates, analytical models for the intracluster medium and the shock dynamics, as well as a simple model for the cosmic-ray electrons at the merger shocks. We show that the statistical properties of the population of radio relics are strongly dependent on key physical parameters, such as the acceleration efficiency, the magnetic field strength at the relic, the geometry of the relic and the duration of the elect…
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 magneto-hydrodynamical simulations of merger shock waves propagating through a magnetised, turbulent intracluster medium. Our model includes the diffusive shock acceleration 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 condition…
We present a multi-frequency study of radio relics associated with the galaxy clusters A4038, A1664 and A786. Radio images, integrated spectra, spectral index maps and fits to the integrated spectra in the framework of the adiabatic compression model are presented. Images of the relic in A4038 at 150, 240 and 606 MHz with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope have revealed extended ultra-steep spectrum (α~ -1.8 to -2.7) emission of an extent 210 x 80 kpc^2. The model of passively evolving radio lobes compressed by a shock best fits the integrated spectrum. The relic with a circular morphology at…
Radio relics detected in the outskirts of galaxy clusters are thought to trace radio-emitting relativistic electrons accelerated at cosmological shocks. In this study, using the cosmological hydrodynamic simulation data for the large-scale structure formation and adopting a diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) model for the production of cosmic-ray (CR) electrons, we construct mock radio and X-ray maps of simulated galaxy clusters that are projected in the sky plane. Various properties of shocks and radio relics, including the shock Mach number, radio spectral index and luminosity are extracted …
The Toothbrush radio relic associated the merging cluster 1RXS J060303.3 is presumed to be produced by relativistic electrons accelerated at merger-driven shocks. Since the shock Mach number inferred from the observed radio spectral index, $M_{radio}\approx 2.8$, is larger than that estimated from X-ray observations, $M_{X-ray}\lesssim 1.5$, we consider the re-acceleration model in which a weak shock of $M_s\approx 1.2-1.5$ sweeps through the intracluster plasma with a preshock population of relativistic electrons. We find the models with a power-law momentum spectrum with the slope, $s\approx…
We discuss a new technique to constrain models for the origin of radio relics in galaxy clusters using the correlation between the shock Mach number and the radio power of relics. This analysis is carried out using a sample of relics with information on both the Mach numbers derived from X-ray observation, $\mathcal{M}_X$, and using spectral information from radio observations of the peak and the average values of the spectral index along the relic, $\mathcal{M}_R$. We find that there is a lack of correlation between $\mathcal{M}_X$ and $\mathcal{M}_R$; this result is an indication that the sp…
Content: We present the results from $Suzaku$ observations of the merging cluster of galaxies CIZA J2242.8+5301 at $z$=0.192. Aims. To study the physics of gas heating and particle acceleration in cluster mergers, we investigated the X-ray emission from CIZA J2242.8+5301, which hosts two giant radio relics in the northern/southern part of the cluster. Methods. We analyzed data from three-pointed Suzaku observations of CIZA J2242.8+5301 to derive the temperature distribution in four different directions. Results: The Intra-Cluster Medium (ICM) temperature shows a remarkable drop from 8.5$_{-0.6…
Zooming-in on cluster radio relics -- I. How density fluctuations explain the Mach number discrepancy, microgauss magnetic fields, and spectral index variations
Leibniz-Institut für Astrophysik Potsdam (AIP)（波茨坦阿斯特罗物理研究所）；Institut für Physik und Astronomie, Universität Potsdam（波茨坦大学物理与天文学系）；Max-Planck-Institut für Astrophysik（马克斯·普朗克天体物理研究所）；Universität Heidelberg, Zentrum für Astronomie, Institut für Theoretische Astrophysik（海德堡大学天文学中心理论天体物理研究所）
We present LOw Frequency ARray observations of the Coma cluster field at 144\,MHz. The cluster hosts one of the most famous radio halos, a relic, and a low surface-brightness bridge. We detect new features that allow us to make a step forward in the understanding of particle acceleration in clusters. The radio halo extends for more than 2 Mpc, which is the largest extent ever reported. To the North-East of the cluster, beyond the Coma virial radius, we discover an arc-like radio source that could trace particles accelerated by an accretion shock. To the West of the halo, coincident with a shoc…
We present new XMM-Newton observations of the northwest (NW) radio relic region in the cluster Abell 3667. We detect a jump in the X-ray surface brightness and X-ray temperature at the sharp outer edge of the radio relic which indicate that this is the location of a merger shock with a Mach number of about 2. Comparing the radio emission to the shock properties implies that approximately 0.2% of the dissipated shock kinetic energy goes into accelerating relativistic electrons. This is an order of magnitude smaller than the efficiency of shock acceleration in many Galactic supernova remnants, w…
In order to understand certain observed features of arc-like giant radio relics such as the rareness, uniform surface brightness, and curved integrated spectra, we explore a diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) model for radio relics in which a spherical shock impinges on a magnetized cloud containing fossil relativistic electrons. Toward this end, we perform DSA simulations of spherical shocks with the parameters relevant for the Sausage radio relic in cluster CIZA J2242.8+5301, and calculate the ensuing radio synchrotron emission from re-accelerated electrons. Three types of fossil electron po…
Probing Merger Shocks in Galaxy Clusters in the SKA Era
National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research（国家射电天文中心，塔塔基础研究所）；Centre for Radio Astronomy Techniques and Technologies, Rhodes University（射电天文技术与方法中心，罗德斯大学）；Institute of Astronomy, National Tsing Hua University（天文研究所，国立清华大学）；Pole Scientific, University Catholic of Lyon（科学系，里昂天主教大学）；Department of Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore（天文学、天体物理学与空间工程系，印度印度理工学院印多尔分校）
Moderately strong shocks arise naturally when two subclusters merge. For instance, when a smaller subcluster falls into the gravitational potential of a more massive cluster, a bow shock is formed and moves together with the subcluster. After pericenter passage, however, the subcluster is decelerated by the gravity of the main cluster, while the shock continues moving away from the cluster center. These shocks are considered as promising candidates for powering radio relics found in many clusters. The aim of this paper is to explore the fate of such shocks when they travel to the cluster outsk…
According to structure formation simulations, weak shocks with typical Mach number, $M_{\rm s}\lesssim 3$, are expected to form in merging galaxy clusters. The presence of such shocks has been indicated by X-ray and radio observations of many merging clusters. In particular, diffuse radio sources known as radio relics could be explained by synchrotron-emitting electrons accelerated via diffusive shock acceleration (Fermi I) at quasi-perpendicular shocks. Here we also consider possible roles of stochastic acceleration (Fermi II) by compressive MHD turbulence downstream of the shock. Then we exp…
Turbulent dynamo field amplification has often been invoked to explain the strong field strengths in thin rims in supernova shocks ($\sim 100 \, μ$G) and in radio relics in galaxy clusters ($\sim μ$G). We present high resolution MHD simulations of the interaction between pre-shock turbulence, clumping and shocks, to quantify the conditions under which turbulent dynamo amplification can be significant. We demonstrate numerically converged field amplification which scales with Alfvén Mach number, $B/B_0 \propto {\mathcal M}_{\rm A}$, up to ${\mathcal M}_{\rm A} \sim 150$. This implies that the p…
Most of the observed features of radio {\it gischt} relics such as spectral steepening across the relic width and power-law-like integrated spectrum can be adequately explained by diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) model, in which relativistic electrons are (re-)accelerated at shock waves induced in the intracluster medium. However, the steep spectral curvature in the integrated spectrum above $\sim 2$ GHz detected in some radio relics such as the Sausage relic in cluster CIZA J2242.8+5301 may not be interpreted by simple radiative cooling of postshock electrons. In order to understand such st…
We present an X-ray spectral analysis of the nearby double radio relic merging cluster Abell 3376 ($z$ = 0.046), observed with the $Suzaku$ XIS instrument. These deep ($\sim$360 ks) observations cover the entire double relic region in the outskirts of the cluster. These diffuse radio structures are amongst the largest and arc-shaped relics observed in combination with large-scale X-ray shocks in a merging cluster. We confirm the presence of a stronger shock (${\cal M}_{\rm{W}}$ = 2.8 $\pm~0.4$) in the western direction at $r\sim26$', derived from a temperature and surface brightness discontinu…
We present the results of deep 140 ks Suzaku X-ray observations of the north-east (NE) radio relic of the merging galaxy cluster Abell2255. The temperature structure of Abell2255 is measured out to 0.9 times the virial radius (1.9 Mpc) in the NE direction for the first time. The Suzaku temperature map of the central region suggests a complex temperature distribution, which agrees with previous work. Additionally, on a larger-scale, we confirm that the temperature drops from 6 keV around the cluster center to 3 keV at the outskirts, with two discontinuities at {\it r}$\sim$5\arcmin~(450 kpc) an…
