The beaming pattern of external Compton emission from relativistic outflows: The case of anisotropic distribution of electrons
The beaming pattern of radiation emitted by a relativistically moving source, such as jets in microquasars, active galactic nuclei, and gamma-ray bursts, is a key issue for understanding acceleration and radiation processes in these objects. In this paper, we introduce a formalism based on a solution of the photon transfer equation to study the beaming patterns for emission produced by electrons accelerated in the jet and the upscattering photons of low-energy radiation fields of external origin (the so-called external Compton scenario). The formalism allows us to treat non-stationary, non-homogeneous, and anisotropic distributions of electrons, but assuming homogeneous/isotropic and non-variable target photon fields. We demonstrate the non-negligible impact of the anisotropy in the electron distribution on angular and spectral characteristics of the EC radiation.
- OSTI ID:
- 22357067
- Journal Information:
- Astrophysical Journal, Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 785; ISSN ASJOAB; ISSN 0004-637X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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