Synchrotron Radiation in Astrophysics Jana Poledníková DTPA MUNI May 26 2010 Jana Poledníková (DTPA MUNI) Synchrotron (Quantum physics ot atomic systems 1 22 Outline of the talk i| Introduction 2) Basic properties o Physical point of view o Mathematicians would say ... 3) Astrophysics What do we observe? o Explanations? [4) Conclusions l 5) References Jana Potednikova (DTPA MUNI) Quantum physics of atomic systems 2 / Synchrotron 22 Introduction Outline of the talk i) Introduction 4 Basic properties • Physical point of view • Mathematicians would say ... 2^ Astrophysics What do we observe? • Explanations? ^ Conclusions *5l References s1 ~ ■ ■» Quantum physics of atomic systems 00. Q- 3/ 22 Syn chrotro n Introduction Why synchrotron radiation? o Non-thermal processes essentials for cutting edge astrophysics. 9 High energies => probes of the distant ('old') universe. o Present in many astrophysical processes (to be discussed later). Jana Potednikovä (DTPA MUNI) Quantum physics of atomic systems 4 / Synchrotron 22 Basic properties Outline of the talk Introdi iction Basic properties • Physical point of view • Mathematicians would say ... Astrophysics a What do we observe? • Explanations? Conclusions References Jana Potednikovä (DTPA MUNI) Quantum physics of atomic systems 5 / Synchrotron 22 2 Basic properties Physical point of view Outline of the talk ±M Introduction 2) Basic properties o Physical point of view • Mathematicians would say ... J* Astrophysics What do we observe? • Explanations? Conclusions .*5l References Jana Potednikova (DTPA MUNI) Quantum physics of atomic systems 6 / Synchrotron 22 Physical point of view How does this work? Synchrotron radiation is a caused by electrons moving in a magnetic field in the speeds close to the speed of light c (so called ultrarelativistic electron, because relativistic effects have to be taken into account). The electrons are travelling along the curved paths and due to relativity, theirs frequency is affected by Lorentz factor 7. We can observe strong polarization (circular or eliptical), strong beaming and energy spectrum accelerated to x-rays and even further. s1 ~ ■ ■» Quantum physics of atomic systems 7/ 22 Sy chrotro Basic properties Physical point of view Image worths thousands words Jana Potednikovi (DTPA MUNI) Quantum physics of atomic systems 8 / Synchrotron 22 Basic properties Mathematicians would say . . . Outline of the talk ±M Introduction 2) Basic properties • Physical point of view o Mathematicians would say ... J* Astrophysics What do we observe? • Explanations? Conclusions .*5l References Jana Potednikovä (DTPA MUNI) Quantum physics of atomic systems 9 / Synchrotron 22 Basic properties Mathematicians would say . . . Some handy expressions I Radiation loss rate (dE) _ q2ivI ( dt)rad = 6necc3 Electron moves in a spiral path at constant pitch angle 0. v = const along the field lines, whilst it gyrates about the lines direction with gyrofrequency eB Vg = ~- The total radiation loss rate is hence (dE) 74e2 e4B2 v2 2 i 2 0 -(-T) = 7-3Ia-LI = 7-2^2Y2 sin2 0 dt oneoc3 one0cm^ c2 Jana Potednikovi (DTPA MUNI) □ g - ■ j -o^o Quantum physics of atomic systems 10 Synchrotron / 22 Mathematicians would say Some handy expressions II Beaming angle can be computed following considerations: accelerated electron emits the usuall dipole pattern, relativistic aberation takes place == beaming in the direction of motion within an angle —1 < 0 < 1. Observed energy distribution is power-law N(E)dE stands for the number of electrons per unit volume in interval (E + dE). Derivation in literature (too long). N (E )dE = kE-p dE f5P - ■ .v •* Quantum physics of atomic systems 11 Synchrotron / 22 Astrophysics Outline of the talk Introduction 4 Basic properties • Physical point of view • Mathematicians would say ... 3) Astrophysics What do we observe? Explanations? y Conclusions *5il References Jana Potednikovä (DTPA MUNI) Quantum physics of atomic systems 12 Synchrotron / 22 Astrophysics What do we observe? Outline of the talk Introduction 4 Basic properties • Physical point of view • Mathematicians would say ... 3) Astrophysics o What do we observe? • Explanations? y Conclusions *5il References Jana Polednikovä (DTPA MUNI) Quantum physics of atomic systems 13 Synchrotron / 22 What do we observe? Jets et all. o Pulsar wind driven nebulae (i.e. Ml) o Active galactic nuclei o Black holes o Gamma-ray bursts Jana Potednikovä (DTPA MUNI) Synchrotron i f5P - ■ j -o^o Quantum physics of atomic systems 14 / 22 Astrophysics What do we observe? Explanations? Outline of the talk Introduction Basic properties • Physical point of view • Mathematicians would say ... 3) Astrophysics What do we observe? o Explanations? Conclusions .si References Jana Potednikovä (DTPA MUNI) □ g - ■ j -o^o Quantum physics of atomic systems 16 Synchrotron / 22 How this works? Explanations? Mechanism of the jets still unknows ('black box where magic happens'). Observational angle plays a big role (i.e. superluminal motions, x-ray flares etc.). Nowadays waiting for better observational techniques (currently observing up to 300 GeV with Fermi, higher energies in Cherenkov observatories) Jana Potednikovä (DTPA MUNI) Synchrotron rfpi - = = ■Oq.O Quantum physics of atomic systems 17 / 22 Conclusions Outline of the talk Introduction 4 Basic properties • Physical point of view • Mathematicians would say ... 2^ Astrophysics What do we observe? Explanations? 4) Conclusions 5 References Jana Potednikovä (DTPA MUNI) Quantum physics of atomic systems 18 Synchrotron / 22 Conclusions Conclusions o Synchrotron radiation plays a huge role in high energy astrophysics. o The nonthermal relativistic electrons can be found in many kinds of astronomical objects. o From the mathematical point of view, power-law distribution desribes the radiation rather well (incl. broken power law etc.). o Synchrotron radiation is quite well understood, though the processes leading to its creation around BHs are not o Real challenge for contemporary high energy astrophysics. Jana Poledníková (DTPA MUNI) Quantum physics of atomic systems 19 Synchrotron / 22 The last one ... Conclusions In any field, find the strangest thing and then explore it. -John A. Wheeler Thank you for your attention! Jana Potednikovä (DTPA MUNI) Quantum physics of atomic systems 20 Synchrotron / 22 References Outline of the talk Introduction 4 Basic properties • Physical point of view • Mathematicians would say ... 2^ Astrophysics What do we observe? • Explanations? y Conclusions References Jana Potednikovi (DTPA MUNI) □ g - ■ j -o^o Quantum physics of atomic systems 21 Synchrotron / 22 References |n| Malcolm S. Longair High Energy Astrophysics vol.2 Cambridge University Press, 1997 H Fulvio Melia High Energy Astrophysics Princeton series in astrophysics, 2009 13 Bradley W. Carroll, Dale A. Ostie An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics Addison Wesley, 2007 Q Felix Mirabel Stellar Black Holes at the Dawn of the Universe Talk in Cargese, France, May 2010 Jana Potednikovä (DTPA MUNI' Synchrotron Quantum physics of atomic sysler