Equipartition of energy between relativistic particles and magnetic field is known to be consistent with observations in most of the large size (hundreds of kpc) radio galaxies. Here we discuss whether such a property holds in the smallest and youngest radio sources, the High Frequency Peakers (HFPs). A few sources have small components with a turnover frequency occurring at a few GHz and therefore a direct measure of the magnetic field intensity can be derived from the spectral peak assuming the spectral turnover is originated by synchrotron self-absorption. The field strengths computed in this way are generally in excellent agreement with the equipartition fields. However, a few exceptions have been found, in sources with an extra deficit of photons in the optically thick part of the spectrum as a consequence of free-free absorption (FFA).
D. Dallacasa, M. Orienti (2009). Does equipartition hold in HFPs?. ASTRONOMISCHE NACHRICHTEN, 330, 173-176 [10.1002/asna.200811149].
Does equipartition hold in HFPs?
DALLACASA, DANIELE;ORIENTI, MONICA
2009
Abstract
Equipartition of energy between relativistic particles and magnetic field is known to be consistent with observations in most of the large size (hundreds of kpc) radio galaxies. Here we discuss whether such a property holds in the smallest and youngest radio sources, the High Frequency Peakers (HFPs). A few sources have small components with a turnover frequency occurring at a few GHz and therefore a direct measure of the magnetic field intensity can be derived from the spectral peak assuming the spectral turnover is originated by synchrotron self-absorption. The field strengths computed in this way are generally in excellent agreement with the equipartition fields. However, a few exceptions have been found, in sources with an extra deficit of photons in the optically thick part of the spectrum as a consequence of free-free absorption (FFA).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.