On the energy spectrum of relativistic electrons in the Crab Nebula

Journal Article · Sun Jul 15 04:00:00 EDT 1973 · Astrophys. J., v. 183, no. 2, pp. 625-635

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/152252· OSTI ID:4324752

Tademaru, E

A model of pulsars by Sturreck predicts that pulsars may be sources of large numbers of relativsitic electrons and positrons created by photon decay of high-energy r-rays in the strong magnetic fields of the pulsars. This model is investigated in detail to obtain the energy spectrum of the particles. An energy spectral index of 3/2 is found for the mildly relativistic electrons, which is in extent agreement with the spectral index of electrons that must be injected into the Crab Nebula to give the observed radio spectrum via synchrotron radiation. Further, their number is sufficient to explain the overall energeties of the Crab Nebula. The energies of the secondary particles are sufficient to explainthe optical emission, but not the X-ray flux, via a synchrotron preceas. However, their number aad spectrum strongly suggest that they may be the seed particles that arm accelerated to higher energies before radiation X-rays. (auth)

• Research Organization: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-29-021915
• OSTI ID: 4324752
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J., v. 183, no. 2, pp. 625-635, Journal Name: Astrophys. J., v. 183, no. 2, pp. 625-635; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*CRAB NEBULA-- SYNCHROTRON RADIATION
*ELECTRONS-- CRAB NEBULA
*PULSARS-- SYNCHROTRON RADIATION
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
ENERGY SPECTRA
N56300* --Physics (Astrophysics & Cosmology)--Quasi-stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
RELATIVISTIC RANGE