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Unveiling the X-ray/TeV engine in Mkn 421

Berrie Giebels·Guillaume Dubus·Bruno Khelifi
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Abstract

Simultaneous observations of Mkn 421 were taken in very high energy gamma -rays (>200 GeV, CAT experiment), X-rays (RXTE) and optical (KVA). Multi -day RXTE observations are also presented, allowing for detailed modelling of the spectral variability. Short timescale (~30')variations in VHE gamma-rays are found, correlated with X-rays but not with the optical. The X-ray spectrum hardens with flux until the photon indices saturate above a threshold flux. The fractional variability decreases from X-rays to optical as a power-law follwing E^0.24. The full spectral energy distribution is well-fitted by synchrotron self-Compton emission from cooling electrons injected with a Maxwellian distribution of characteristic energy gamma_b. Fluctuations in the injected power proportional to (gamma_b)^4 can explain the observed variability.

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Berrie Giebels, Guillaume Dubus, Bruno Khelifi. 2006-10-12. Unveiling the X-ray/TeV engine in Mkn 421. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361%3A20066134

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