Phenomenology of Gamma-Ray Jets

Abstract

We discuss some phenomenological aspects of $γ$-ray emitting jets. In particular, we present calculations of the $γ$-sphere and $π$-sphere for various target photon fields, and employ them to demonstrate how $γ$-ray observations at very high energies can be used to constraint the Doppler factor of the emitting plasma and the production of VHE neutrinos. We also consider the implications of the rapid TeV variability observed in M87 and the TeV blazars, and propose a model for the very rapid TeV flares observed with HESS and MAGIC in some blazars,that accommodates the relatively small Doppler factors inferred from radio observations. Finally, we briefly discuss the prospects for detecting VHE neutrinos from relativistic jets.