Escape of VHE gamma-rays from close massive binary Cen X-3

Abstract

We consider propagation of very high energy (VHE) gamma-rays in the radiation field of a massive star in the binary system Cen X-3, which has been reported as a source of gamma-ray photons in the GeV and TeV energies. VHE gamma-rays or electrons, injected by the compact object, should develop inverse Compton pair cascades. We predict the gamma-ray spectra and light curves for the parameters of Cen X-3 system. It is found that the gamma-ray spectra, observed at different directions, have different shape and intensity. The gamma-ray light curves, produced in the case of electron injection by the compact object in the Cen X-3 system, should have opposite tendencies for photons with energies above 100 MeV and above 300 GeV, i.e. the photon intensities increases with phase in the first case and decreases with phase in the second case. However the model with injection of primary electrons seems to be in contrary with the reported modulation of the GeV gamma-ray flux with the pulsar's period. The model with injection of primary photons allows such modulation with the pulsar's period, but predicts strong modulation of the TeV flux with the orbital period of the binary. Modulation of TeV emission with the orbital period has been reported by the early Cherenkov observations, but was not confirmed by the recent, more sensitive observations by the Durham Mark 6 telescope.