arXiv subjects

Anita Reimer

Publications and source records attributed to Anita Reimer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Characterizing the Gamma-ray Emission from Low-Luminosity AGN

A majority of the active galactic nuclei (AGN) in the local Universe are classified as low-luminosity AGN (LLAGN), having bolometric luminosities $\lesssim 10^{42} \ \mathrm{erg \ s^{-1}}$. Although high-energy gamma-ray emission is predicted from both the jets and disks of LLAGN, to date only four have been detected by the Fermi Large Area Telescope (Fermi-LAT). In this work, we therefore conduct a comprehensive study of all the LLAGN from the Palomar spectroscopic survey of bright, northern galaxies, including both subthreshold and detected gamma-ray sources, using 14.4 years of LAT data. Our analysis results in a new detection of one LLAGN, as well as a detection of the subthreshold population using a stacking technique. We find that the signal from the subthreshold sample is consistent with being dominated by star-formation activity, although a contribution from compact jets or a mixed contribution from jetted and non-jetted systems is also feasible. On the other hand, the individually detected LLAGN are likely dominated by jet emission. We perform detailed spectral modeling for a subset of these sources and find that the gamma-ray signal can be explained by synchrotron self-Compton radiation, if the inner jet emission region is weakly magnetized with its total energy density being strongly particle dominated, and only slowly moving. With this work we also publicly release our Python-based stacking library for analyzing subthreshold source populations with the LAT, based on a proven technique used in numerous studies.

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arXiv2024

A Comprehensive Hadronic Code Comparison for Active Galactic Nuclei

We perform the first dedicated comparison of five hadronic codes (AM$^3$, ATHE$\nu$A, B13, LeHa-Paris, and LeHaMoC) that have been extensively used in modeling of the spectral energy distribution (SED) of jetted active galactic nuclei. The purpose of this comparison is to identify the sources of systematic errors (e.g., implementation method of proton-photon interactions) and to quantify the expected dispersion in numerical SED models computed with the five codes. The outputs from the codes are first tested in synchrotron self-Compton scenarios that are the simplest blazar emission models used in the literature. We then compare the injection rates and spectra of secondary particles produced in pure hadronic cases with monoenergetic and power-law protons interacting on black-body and power-law photon fields. We finally compare the photon SEDs and the neutrino spectra for realistic proton-synchrotron and leptohadronic blazar models. We find that the codes are in excellent agreement with respect to the spectral shape of the photons and neutrinos. There is a remaining spread in the overall normalization that we quantify, at its maximum, at the level of $\pm 40\%$. This value should be used as an additional, conservative, systematic uncertainty term when comparing numerical simulations and observations.

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arXiv2024

Exploring non-thermal emission from the star-forming region NGC 3603 through a realistic modelling of its environment

Context. Star-forming regions are gaining considerable interest in the high-energy astrophysics community as possible Galactic particle accelerators. In general, the role of electrons has not been fully considered in this kind of cosmic-ray source. However, the intense radiation fields inside these regions might make electrons significant gamma-ray contributors. Aims. We study the young and compact star-forming region NGC 3603, a well known gamma-ray emitter. Our intention is to test whether its gamma-ray emission can be produced by cosmic-ray electrons. Methods. We build a novel model by creating realistic 3D distributions of the gas and the radiation field in the region. We introduce these models into PICARD to perform cosmic-ray transport simulations and produce gamma-ray emission maps. The results are compared with a dedicated Fermi Large Area Telescope data analysis at high energies. We also explore the radio and neutrino emissions of the system. Results. We improve the existing upper limits of the NGC 3603 gamma-ray source extension. Although the gamma-ray spectrum is well reproduced with the injection of CR protons, it requires nearly 30\% acceleration efficiency. In addition, the resulting extension of the simulated hadronic source is in mild tension with the extension data upper limit. The radio data disfavours the lepton-only scenario. Finally, combining both populations, the results are consistent with all observables, although the exact contributions are ambiguous.

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arXiv2024

Combined Fit of Spectrum and Composition for FR0 Radio-galaxy-emitted Ultra-high-energy Cosmic Rays with Resulting Secondary Photons and Neutrinos

This study comprehensively investigates the gamma-ray dim population of Fanaroff-Riley Type 0 (FR0) radio galaxies as potentially significant sources of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs, E $>$ 10$^{18}$ eV) detected on Earth. While individual FR0 luminosities are relatively low compared to the more powerful Fanaroff-Riley Type 1 and Type 2 galaxies, FR0s are substantially more prevalent in the local universe, outnumbering the more energetic galaxies by a factor of $\sim$5 within a redshift of z $\leq$ 0.05. Employing CRPropa3 simulations, we estimate the mass composition and energy spectra of UHECRs originating from FR0 galaxies for energies above 10$^{18.6}$ eV. This estimation fits data from the Pierre Auger Observatory (Auger) using three extensive air shower models; both constant and energy-dependent observed elemental fractions are considered. The simulation integrates an approximately isotropic distribution of FR0 galaxies, extrapolated from observed characteristics, with UHECR propagation in the intergalactic medium, incorporating various plausible configurations of extragalactic magnetic fields, both random and structured. We then compare the resulting emission spectral indices, rigidity cutoffs, and elemental fractions with recent Auger results. In total, 25 combined energy spectrum and mass composition fits are considered. Beyond the cosmic ray fluxes emitted by FR0 galaxies, this study predicts the secondary photon and neutrino fluxes from UHECR interactions with intergalactic cosmic photon backgrounds. The multi-messenger approach, encompassing observational data and theoretical models, helps elucidate the contribution of low luminosity FR0 radio galaxies to the total cosmic ray energy density.

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arXiv2023

Characterizing the $γ$-ray Emission from FR0 Radio Galaxies

FR0 galaxies constitute the most abundant jet population in the local Universe. With their compact jet structure, they are broadband photon emitters and have been proposed as multi-messenger sources. Recently, these sources have been detected for the first time in $γ$ rays. Using a revised FR0 catalog, we confirm that the FR0 population as a whole are $γ$-ray emitters, and we also identify two significant sources. For the first time, we find a correlation between the 5 GHz core radio luminosity and $γ$-ray luminosity in the 1 - 800 GeV band, having a 4.5$σ$ statistical significance. This is clear evidence that the jet emission mechanism is similar in nature for FR0s and the well-studied canonical FR (FRI and FRII) radio galaxies. Furthermore, we perform broadband SED modeling for the significantly detected sources as well as the subthreshold source population using a one-zone SSC model. Within the maximum jet power budget, our modeling shows that the detected gamma rays from the jet can be explained as inverse Compton photons. To explain the multi-wavelength observations for these galaxies, the modeling results stipulate a low bulk Lorentz factor and a jet composition far from equipartition, with the particle energy density dominating over the magnetic field energy density.

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arXiv2023

On the sub-parsec scale core composition of FR 0 radio galaxies

Although Fanaroff-Riley (FR) type 0 radio galaxies are known to be the most numerous jet population in the local Universe, they are much less explored than the well-established class of FR I and FR II galaxies due to their intrinsic weakness. Observationally, their nuclear radio, optical and X-ray properties are comparable to the nuclear environment of FR Is. The recent detection of two FR 0s in the high-energy band suggests that like in FR Is, charged particles are accelerated there to energies that enable gamma-ray production. Up to now, only the lack of extended radio emission from FR 0s distinguishes them from FR Is. By comparing the spectral energy distribution of FR 0s with that of FR Is and in particular with that of M87 as a well-studied reference source of the FR I population, we find the broadband spectrum of FR 0s exceptionally close to M87's quiet core emission. Relying on that similarity, we apply a lepto-hadronic jet-accretion flow model to FR 0s. This model is able to explain the broadband spectral energy distribution, with parameters close to particle-field equipartition and matching all observational constraints. In this framework, FR 0s are multi-messenger jet sources, with a nature and highly magnetized environment similar to that of the naked quiet core of FR Is.

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arXiv2023

Spine-sheath jet model for low-luminosity AGNs

In several jetted AGNs, structured jets have been observed. In particular spine-sheath configurations where the jet is radially divided into two or more zones of different flow velocities. We present a model based on the particle and radiation transport code CR-ENTREES. Here, interaction rates and secondary particle and photon yields are pre-calculated by Monte Carlo event generators or semi-analytical approximations. These are then used to create transition matrices, that describe how each particle spectrum evolves with time. This code allows for arbitrary injection of primary particles, and the possibility to choose which interaction to include (photo-meson production, Bethe-Heitler pair-production, inverse-Compton scattering, $γ$-$γ$ pair production, decay of all unstable particles, synchrotron radiation -- from electrons, protons, and all relevant secondaries before their respective decays -- and particle escape). In addition to the particle and radiation interactions taking place in each homogeneous zone, we implement the feedback between the two zones having different bulk velocities. The main mechanism at play when particles cross the boundary between the two zones is shear acceleration. We follow a microscopic description of this acceleration process to create a corresponding transition matrix and include it in our numerical setup. Furthermore, each zone's radiation field can be used as an external target photon field for the other zone's particle interactions. We present here the first results of the effect of a two-zone spine-sheath jet, by applying this model to typical low-luminosity AGNs.

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arXiv2023

Efficient Modeling of Heavy Cosmic Rays Propagation in Evolving Astrophysical Environments

We present a new energy transport code that models the time dependent and non-linear evolution of spectra of cosmic-ray nuclei, their secondaries, and photon target fields. The software can inject an arbitrary chemical composition including heavy elements up to iron nuclei. Energy losses and secondary production due to interactions of cosmic ray nuclei, secondary mesons, leptons, or gamma-rays with a target photon field are available for all relevant processes, e.g., photo-meson production, photo disintegration, synchrotron radiation, Inverse Compton scattering, and more. The resulting x-ray fluxes can be fed back into the simulation chain to correct the initial photon targets, resulting in a non-linear treatment of the energy transport. The modular structure of the code facilitates simple extension of interaction or target field models. We will show how the software can be used to improve predictions of observables in various astrophysical sources such as jetted active galactic nuclei (AGN). Since the software can model the propagation of heavy ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays inside the source it can precisely predict the chemical composition at the source. This will also refine predictions of neutrino emissions - they strongly depend on the chemical composition. This helps in the future to optimize the selection and analyses of data from the IceCube neutrino observatory with the aim to enhance the sensitivity of IceCube and reduce the number of trial factors.

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arXiv2023

ExHaLe-jet: Modeling blazar jets with an extended hadro-leptonic radiation code

Blazars emit across all electromagnetic wavelengths. While the so-called one-zone model has described well both quiescent and flaring states, it cannot explain the radio emission and fails in more complex data sets, such as AP Librae. In order to self-consistently describe the entire electromagnetic spectrum emitted by the jet, extended radiation models are necessary. Notably, kinetic descriptions of extended jets can provide the temporal and spatial evolution of the particle species and the full electromagnetic output. Here, we present the initial results of a newly developed hadro-leptonic extended-jet code: ExHaLe-jet. As protons take much longer than electrons to lose their energy, they can transport energy over much larger distances than electrons and are therefore essential for the energy transport in the jet. Furthermore, protons induce injection of additional pairs through pion and Bethe-Heitler pair production, which can explain a dominant leptonic radiation signal while still producing neutrinos. In this talk, we discuss the differences between leptonic and hadronic dominated SED solutions, the SED shapes, evolution along the jet flow, and jet powers. We also highlight the important role of external photon fields, such as the accretion disk and the BLR.

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arXiv2022

The Fourth Catalog of Active Galactic Nuclei Detected by the Fermi Large Area Telescope -- Data Release 3

An incremental version of the fourth catalog of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) detected by the Fermi-Large Area Telescope is presented. This version (4LAC-DR3) derives from the third data release of the 4FGL catalog based on 12 years of E>50 MeV gamma-ray data, where the spectral parameters, spectral energy distributions (SEDs), yearly light curves, and associations have been updated for all sources. The new reported AGNs include 587 blazar candidates and four radio galaxies. We describe the properties of the new sample and outline changes affecting the previously published one. We also introduce two new parameters in this release, namely the peak energy of the SED high-energy component and the corresponding flux. These parameters allow an assessment of the Compton dominance, the ratio of the Inverse-Compton to the synchrotron peak luminosities, without relying on X-ray data.

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arXiv2022

Lepto-hadronic jet-disc model for the multi-wavelength SED of M87

The low-luminosity Active Galactic Nuclei M87, archetype of Fanaroff-Riley I radio-galaxies, was observed in a historically quiet state in 2017. While one-zone leptonic jet models alone cannot explain the core radio-to-gamma-ray spectrum, we explore a hybrid jet-disc scenario. In this work, we model the overall spectral energy distribution of M87's core with a dominating one-zone lepto-hadronic jet component, coupled with the contribution from the accretion flow. We find close-to-equipartition parameter sets for which the jet component fits the radio-to-optical data as well as the gamma-ray band, while the accretion flow mainly contributes to the X-ray band. The effects of gamma-ray absorption by the Extragalactic Background Light during the propagation towards Earth are probed and are found to be negligible for this model. The neutrino flux produced by such scenarios is also calculated, but remains below the current instruments' sensitivity.

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arXiv2022

ExHaLe-jet: An extended hadro-leptonic jet model for blazars. I. Code description and initial results

The processes operating in blazar jets are still an open question. Modeling the radiation emanating from an extended part of the jet allows one to capture these processes on all scales. Kinetic codes solving the Fokker-Planck equation along the jet flow are well suited to this task, as they can efficiently derive the radiation and particle spectra without the need for computationally demanding plasma-physical simulations. Here, we present a new extended hadro-leptonic jet code -- ExHaLe-jet -- which considers simultaneously the processes of relativistic protons and electrons. Within a pre-set geometry and bulk flow, the particle evolution is derived self-consistently. Highly relativistic secondary electrons (and positrons) are created through $γ$-$γ$ pair production, Bethe-Heitler pair production, and pion/muon decay. These secondaries are entrained in the jet flow decreasing the ratio of protons to electrons with distance from the jet base. For particle-photon interactions, we consider all internal and many external photon fields, such as the accretion disk, broad-line region, and the dusty torus. The external fields turn out to be the most important source for particle-photon interactions governing the resulting photon and neutrino spectra. In this paper, we present the code and an initial parameter study, while in follow-up works we present extensions of the code and more specific applications.

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arXiv2021

The imprint of protons on the emission of extended blazar jets

Blazars - active galaxies with the jet pointing at Earth - emit across all electromagnetic wavelengths. The so-called one-zone model has described well both quiescent and flaring states, however it cannot explain the radio emission. In order to self-consistently describe the entire electromagnetic spectrum, extended jet models are necessary. Notably, kinetic descriptions of extended jets can provide the temporal and spatial evolution of the particle species and the full electromagnetic output. Here, we present the initial results of a recently developed hadronic extended-jet code. As protons take much longer than electrons to lose their energy, they can transport energy over much larger distances than electrons and are therefore essential for the energy transport in the jet. Furthermore, protons can inject additional leptons through pion and Bethe-Heitler pair production, which can explain a dominant leptonic radiation signal while still producing neutrinos. We will present a detailed parameter study and provide insights into the different blazar sub-classes.

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arXiv2021

FR-0 jetted active galaxies: extending the zoo of candidate sites for UHECR acceleration

Fanaroff-Riley (FR) 0 radio galaxies form a low-luminosity extension to the well-established ultra-high-energy cosmic-ray (UHECR) candidate accelerators FR-1 and FR-2 galaxies. Their much higher number density -- up to a factor five times more numerous than FR-1 with $z\leq 0.05$ -- makes them good candidate sources for an isotropic contribution to the observed UHECR flux. Here, the acceleration and survival of UHECR in prevailing conditions of the FR-0 environment are discussed. First, an average spectral energy distribution (SED) is compiled based on the \textit{FR0CAT}. These photon fields, composed of a jet and a host galaxy component, form a minimal target photon field for the UHECR, which will suffer from electromagnetic pair production, photo-disintegration, photo-meson production losses, and synchrotron radiation. The two most promising acceleration scenarios based on Fermi-I order and gradual shear acceleration are discussed as well as different escape scenarios. When an efficient acceleration mechanism precedes gradual shear acceleration, e.g., Fermi-I or others, FR-0 galaxies are likely UHECR accelerators. Gradual shear acceleration requires a jet Lorentz factor of $Γ>1.6$, to be faster than the corresponding escape. In less optimistic models, a contribution to the cosmic-ray flux between the knee and ankle is expected to be relatively independent of the realized turbulence and acceleration.

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arXiv2021

The Blazar Hadronic Code Comparison Project

Blazar hadronic models have been developed in the past decades as an alternative to leptonic ones. In hadronic models the gamma-ray emission is associated with synchrotron emission by protons, and/or secondary leptons produced in proton-photon interactions. Together with photons, hadronic emission models predict the emission of neutrinos that are therefore the smoking gun for acceleration of relativistic hadrons in blazar jets. The simulation of proton-photon interactions and all associated radiative processes is a complex numerical task, and different approaches to the problem have been adopted in the literature. So far, no systematic comparison between the different codes has been performed, preventing a clear understanding of the underlying uncertainties in the numerical simulations. To fill this gap, we have undertaken the first comprehensive comparison of blazar hadronic codes, and the results from this effort will be presented in this contribution.

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arXiv2021

Relativistic fluid modelling of gamma-ray binaries. I. The model

Context. Gamma-ray binaries are systems that radiate the dominant part of their non-thermal emission in the gamma-ray band. In a wind-driven scenario, these binaries are thought to consist of a pulsar orbiting a massive star, accelerating particles in the shock arising in the wind collision. Aims. We develop a comprehensive, numerical model for the non-thermal emission of shock accelerated particles including the dynamical effects of fluid instabilities and orbital motion. We demonstrate the model on a generic binary system. Methods. The model is built on a dedicated three-dimensional particle transport simulation for the accelerated particles dynamically coupled to a simultaneous relativistic hydrodynamic simulation of the wind interaction. In a post-processing step, a leptonic emission model involving synchrotron and inverse Compton emission is evaluated based on resulting particle distributions and fluid solutions, consistently accounting for relativistic boosting and $γγ$-absorption in the stellar radiation field. The model is implemented as an extension to the Cronos code. Results. In the generic binary, the wind interaction leads to the formation of an extended, asymmetric wind-collision region distorted by the effects of orbital motion, mixing and turbulence giving rise to strong shocks terminating the pulsar wind and secondary shocks in the turbulent fluid flow. With the presented approach it is, for the first time, possible to consistently account for the dynamical shock structure in particle transport processes, yielding a complex distribution of accelerated particles. The predicted emission extends over a broad region of energy, with significant orbital modulation in all bands.

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arXiv2021

Scrutinizing FR 0 Radio Galaxies as Ultra-High-Energy Cosmic Ray Source Candidates

Fanaroff-Riley (FR) 0 radio galaxies compose a new class of radio galaxies, which are usually weaker but much more numerous than the well-established class of FR 1 and FR 2 galaxies. The latter classes have been proposed as sources of the ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) with energies reaching up to ${\sim}10^{20}$ eV. Based on this conjecture, the possibility of UHECR acceleration and survival in an FR 0 source environment is examined in this work. In doing so, an average spectral energy distribution (SED) based on data from the FR 0 catalog (FR0CAT) is compiled. The resulting photon fields are used as targets for UHECRs, which suffer from electromagnetic pair production, photo-disintegration, photo-meson production losses, and synchrotron radiation. Multiple mechanisms are discussed to assess the UHECR acceleration probability, including Fermi-I order and gradual shear accelerations, and particle escape from the source region. This work shows that in a hybrid scenario, combining Fermi and shear accelerations, FR 0 galaxies can contribute to the observed UHECR flux, as long as $Γ_\mathrm{j}\gtrsim 1.6$, where shear acceleration starts to dominate over escape. Even in less optimistic scenarios, FR 0s can be expected to contribute to the cosmic-ray flux between the knee and the ankle. Our results are relatively robust with respect to the realized magnetic turbulence model and the speed of the accelerating shocks.

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arXiv2019

Cascading Constraints from Neutrino Emitting Blazars: The case of TXS 0506+056

We present a procedure to generally constrain the environments of neutrino-producing sites in photomeson production models of jetted Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) where any origin of the dominant target photon field can be accommodated. For this purpose we reconstruct the minimum target photon spectrum required to produce the (observed) neutrino spectrum, and derive the distributions of all corresponding secondary particles. These initiate electromagnetic cascades with an efficiency that is linked to the neutrino production rate. The derived photon spectra represent the minimum radiation emerging from the source that is strictly associated with the photo-hadronically produced neutrinos. Using the 2014-15 neutrino spectrum observed by IceCube from TXS 0506+056, we conduct a comprehensive study of these cascade spectra and compare them to the simultaneous multi-wavelength emission. For this set of observations, photopion production from a co-spatially produced (co-moving) photon target can be ruled out as well as a setup where synchrotron or Compton-synchrotron supported cascades on a stationary (AGN rest frame) target photon field operate in this source. However, a scenario where Compton-driven cascades develop in the stationary soft-X-ray photon target which photo-hadronically produced the observed neutrinos appears feasible with required proton kinetic jet powers near the Eddington limit. The source is then found to produce neutrinos inefficiently, and emits GeV photons significantly below the observed Fermi-LAT-flux. Hence, the neutrinos and the bulk of the gamma rays observed in 2014/2015 from TXS 0506+056 cannot have been initiated by the same process.

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