Cygnus Loop

Abstract: Evidences of non-thermal X-ray emission and TeV gamma-rays from the supernova remnants (SNRs) has strengthened the hypothesis that primary Galactic cosmic-ray electrons are accelerated in SNRs. High energy electrons lose energy via synchrotron and inverse Compton processes during propagation in the Galaxy. Due to these radiative losses, TeV electrons liberated from SNRs at distances larger than ~1 kpc, or times older than ~10^5 yr, cannot reach the solar system. We investigated the cosmic-ray electron spectrum observed in the solar system using an analytical method, and considered several candidate sources among nearby SNRs which may contribute to the high energy electron flux. Especially, we discuss the effects for the release time from SNRs after the explosion, as well as the deviation of a source spectrum from a simple power-law. From this calculation, we found that some nearby sources such as the Vela, Cygnus Loop, or Monogem could leave unique signatures in the form of identifiable structure in the energy spectrum of TeV electrons and show anisotropies towards the sources, depending on when the electrons are liberated from the remnant. This suggests that, in addition to providing information on the mechanisms of acceleration and propagation of cosmic-rays, specific cosmic-ray sources can be identified through the precise electron observation in the TeV region.

Abstract: Evidence of nonthermal X-ray emission and TeV gamma rays from supernova remnants (SNRs) have strengthened the hypothesis that primary Galactic cosmic-ray electrons are accelerated in SNRs. High-energy electrons lose energy via synchrotron and inverse Compton processes during propagation in the Galaxy. Because of these radiative losses, TeVelectrons liberated from SNRs at distances larger than � 1 kpc, or times older than � 10 5 yr, cannot reach the solar system. We investigated the cosmic-ray electron spectrum observed in the solar system using an analytical method and considered several candidate sources among nearby SNRs that may contribute to the high-energy electron flux. In particular, we discuss the effects for the release time from SNRs after the explosion, as well as the deviation of a source spectrum from a simple power law. From this calculation, we found that some nearby sources, such as Vela, Cygnus Loop, or Monogem, could leave unique signatures in the form of identifiable structure in the energy spectrum of TeV electrons and show anisotropies toward the sources, depending on when the electrons were liberated from the remnant. This suggests that, in addition to providing information on the mechanisms of acceleration and propagation of cosmic rays, specific cosmic-ray sources can be identified through the precise electron observation in the TeV region. Subject headings: acceleration of particles — cosmic rays — gamma rays: theory — supernova remnants

Abstract: We present an observational and theoretical study of the optical emission from nonradiative shocks in three supernova remnants: the Cygnus Loop, RCW 86, and Tycho. The spectra of these shocks are dominated by collisionally excited hydrogen Balmer lines, which have both a broad component caused by proton-neutral charge exchange and a narrow component caused by excitation of cold neutrals entering the shock. In each remnant, we have obtained the broad-to-narrow flux ratios of the H? and H? lines and measured the H? broad component width. A new numerical shock code computes the broad and narrow Balmer line emission from nonradiative shocks in partially neutral gas. The Balmer line fluxes are sensitive to Lyman line trapping and the degree of electron-proton temperature equilibration. The code calculates the density, temperature, and size of the postshock ionization layer and uses a Monte Carlo simulation to compute narrow Balmer line enhancement from Lyman line trapping. The initial fraction of the shock energy allocated to the electrons and protons (the equilibration) is a free parameter. Our models show that variations in electron-proton temperature equilibration and Lyman line trapping can reproduce the observed range of broad-to-narrow ratios. The results give 80%-100% equilibration in nonradiative portions of the northeast Cygnus Loop (vS ~ 300 km s-1), 40%-50% equilibration in nonradiative portions of RCW 86 (vS ~ 600 km s-1), and 20% equilibration in Tycho (vS ~ 2000 km s-1). Our results suggest an inverse correlation between magnetosonic Mach number and equilibration in the observed remnants.

Abstract: We present an observational and theoretical study of the optical emission from nonradiative shocks in three supernova remnants: the Cygnus Loop, RCW 86 and Tycho. The spectra of these shocks are dominated by collisionally excited hydrogen Balmer lines which have both a broad component caused by proton-neutral charge exchange and a narrow component caused by excitation of cold neutrals entering the shock. In each remnant we have obtained the broad to narrow flux ratios of the Halpha and Hbeta lines and measured the Halpha broad component width. A new numerical shock code computes the broad and narrow Balmer line emission from nonradiative shocks in partially neutral gas. The Balmer line fluxes are sensitive to Lyman line trapping and the degree of electron-proton temperature equilibration. The code calculates the density, temperature and size of the postshock ionization layer and uses a Monte Carlo simulation to compute narrow Balmer line enhancement from Lyman line trapping. The initial fraction of the shock energy allocated to the electrons and protons (the equilibration) is a free parameter. Our models show that variations in electron-proton temperature equilibration and Lyman line trapping can reproduce the observed range of broad to narrow ratios. The results give 80%-100% equilibration in nonradiative portions of the NE Cygnus Loop (v_shock ~ 300 km/s), 40%-50% equilibration in nonradiative portions of RCW 86 (v_shock ~ 600 km/s) and <~ 20% equilibration in Tycho (v_shock ~ 2000 km/s). Our results suggst an inverse correlation between magnetosonic Mach number and equilibration in the observed remnants.