Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Scientific paper
2009-09-01
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
4 pages, 1 figure. To appear in proceedings of "The Monster's Fiery Breath: Feedback in galaxies, groups, and clusters" meetin
Scientific paper
The emission mechanisms in extragalactic jets include synchrotron and various inverse-Compton processes. At low (radio through infrared) energies, it is widely agreed that synchrotron emission dominates in both low-power (FR I) and high-power (FR II and quasar) jets, because of the power-law nature of the spectra observed and high polarizations. However, at higher energies, the emission mechanism for high-power jets at kpc scales is hotly debated. Two mechanisms have been proposed: either inverse-Compton of cosmic microwave background photons or synchrotron emission from a second, high-energy population of electrons. Here we discuss optical polarimetry as a method for diagnosing the mechanism for the high-energy emission in quasar jets, as well as revealing the jet's three-dimensional energetic and magnetic field structure. We then discuss high-energy emission mechanisms for powerful jets in the light of the HST polarimetry of PKS 1136-135.
Axon Dave
Baum Stefi A.
Begelman Mitch
Birkinshaw Mark
Cara Mihai
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