Inverse Compton scattering of ambient radiation by a cold relativistic jet - A source of beamed, polarized continuum in blazars?

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (155) References (31) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Inverse Compton Scattering of Ambient Radiation by a Cold Relativistic Jet: A Source of Beamed, Polarized X-Ray and Optical Observations of X-Ray--selected BL Lacertae Objects Begelman, Mitchell C. ; Sikora, Marek Abstract A general formalism is developed for computing the intensity and polarization of unpolarized radiation scattered by a group of electrons with a specified distribution of momenta. The case of isotropic incident radiation with a power-law spectrum is addressed, and the 'head-on' approximation is developed to describe the nearly unidirectional character of the incident radiation in the electron rest frame. The formalism is implemented numerically, verifying the validity of the 'head-on' approximation and illustrating the polarization and intensity properties of radiation scattered by jets with different electron momentum distribution. The results are placed in an astrophysical setting, determining the optical depths and kinetic energies required for the scattered radiation to dominate over the isotropic component in blazars. It is argued that Comptonization of unbeamed AGN radiation by a relativistic jet can account for the polarization and the overall spectral shape of the IR-optical continuum in blazars. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: November 1987 DOI: 10.1086/165760 Bibcode: 1987ApJ...322..650B Keywords: Blazars; Computational Astrophysics; Galactic Nuclei; Galactic Radiation; Inverse Scattering; Jet Flow; Polarization Characteristics; Background Radiation; Compton Effect; Doppler Effect; Radiant Flux Density; Astrophysics; GALAXIES: JETS; GALAXIES: NUCLEI; GAMMA RAYS: GENERAL; POLARIZATION; RADIATION MECHANISMS; BL LACERTAE OBJECTS; X-RAYS: SOURCES; X-RAYS: SPECTRA full text sources ADS |