Simulating the LOcal Web (SLOW) -- VI: Gamma-ray Emission in the Local Universe

Abstract

Context: Diffuse $\gamma$-ray emission from cosmic-ray (CR) protons scattering off the gas in the intracluster and intergalactic medium remains out of reach for current observations. Detecting this emission would provide constraints on the nonthermal pressure support by CR protons in these environments. Aims: We provide estimates for diffuse $\gamma$-ray emission in the \textit{Fermi}-LAT band from galaxy clusters and the cosmic web in the local Universe. Methods: In this work, we show results from the first cosmological magnetohydrodynamic simulation with an on-the-fly spectral CR model. We modeled CR injection at shocks, accounted for adiabatic energy changes and advection of CR protons, and obtained their $\gamma$-ray emissivity directly from the simulated CR energy density and spectra. To do this, we used constrained initial conditions that evolved in a field closely resembling that of the local Universe, allowing a direct comparison to \textit{Fermi}-LAT data on massive clusters. Results: We find CR proton acceleration at all structure formation and accretion shocks in galaxy clusters and cosmic web filaments. These protons provide the basis for diffuse $\gamma$-ray emission in these regimes. The absolute value of the diffuse $\gamma$-ray emission in our simulation lies a few orders of magnitude below the current upper limits found by \textit{Fermi}-LAT. Under the assumption of our model, a sensitivity of $F_\gamma < 10^{-11} \: \gamma~ \text{s}^{-1}~\text{cm}^{-2}$ would be required for a detection of diffuse emission in Coma. This provides a lower limit for diffuse emission from CR protons accelerated at structure formation shocks.