arXiv subjects

Patrick Slane

Publications and source records attributed to Patrick Slane.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

arXiv2007

Recent Progress in Studies of Pulsar Wind Nebulae

The synchrotron-emitting nebulae formed by energetic winds from young pulsars provide information on a wide range phenomena that contribute to their structure. High resolution X-ray observations reveal jets and toroidal structures in many systems, along with knot-like structures whose emission is observed to be time-variable. Large-scale filaments seen in optical and radio images mark instability regions where the expanding nebulae interact with the surrounding ejecta, and spectral studies reveal the presence of these ejecta in the form of thermal X-ray emission. Infrared studies probe the frequency region where evolutionary and magnetic field effects conspire to change the broadband synchrotron spectrum dramatically, and studies of the innermost regions of the nebulae provide constraints on the spectra of particles entering the nebula. At the highest energies, TeV gamma-ray observations provide a probe of the spectral region that, for low magnetic fields, corresponds to particles with energies just below the X-ray-emitting regime. Here I summarize the structure of pulsar wind nebulae and review several new observations that have helped drive a recent resurgence in theoretical modeling of these systems.

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arXiv2007

Supernova Remnants and GLAST

It has long been speculated that supernova remnants represent a major source of cosmic rays in the Galaxy. Observations over the past decade have ceremoniously unveiled direct evidence of particle acceleration in SNRs to energies approaching the knee of the cosmic ray spectrum. Nonthermal X-ray emission from shell-type SNRs reveals multi-TeV electrons, and the dynamical properties of several SNRs point to efficient acceleration of ions. Observations of TeV gamma-ray emission have confirmed the presence of energetic particles in several remnants as well, but there remains considerable debate as to whether this emission originates with high energy electrons or ions. Equally uncertain are the exact conditions that lead to efficient particle acceleration. Based on the catalog of EGRET sources, we know that there is a large population of Galactic gamma-ray sources whose distribution is similar to that of SNRs. With the increased resolution and sensitivity of GLAST, the gamma-ray SNRs from this population will be identified. Their detailed emission structure, along with their spectra, will provide the link between their environments and their spectra in other wavebands to constrain emission models and to potentially identify direct evidence of ion acceleration in SNRs. Here I summarize recent observational and theoretical work in the area of cosmic ray acceleration by SNRs, and discuss the contributions GLAST will bring to our understanding of this problem.

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arXiv2007

Particle Acceleration in Supernova Remnants and the Production of Thermal and Nonthermal Radiation

If highly efficient, cosmic ray production can have a significant effect on the X-ray emission from SNRs as well as their dynamical evolution. Using hydrodynamical simulations including diffusive shock acceleration, we produce spectra for both the thermal and nonthermal forward shock emission. For a given ambient density and explosion energy, we find that the position of the forward shock at a given age is a strong function of the acceleration efficiency, providing a signature of cosmic-ray production. Using an approximate treatment for the ionization state of the plasma, we investigate the effects of slow vs. rapid heating of the postshock electrons on the ratio of thermal to nonthermal X-ray emission at the forward shock. We also investigate the effects of magnetic field strength on the observed spectrum for efficient cosmic-ray acceleration. The primary effect of a large field is a considerable flattening of the nonthermal spectrum in the soft X-ray band. Spectral index measurements from X-ray observations may thus be indicators of the postshock magnetic field strength. The predicted gamma-ray flux from inverse-Compton (IC) scattering and neutral pion decay is strongly affected by the ambient conditions and, for the particular parameters used in our examples, the IC emission at E ~ 1 TeV exceeds that from pion decay, although at both lower and higher energies this trend is reversed for cases of high ambient density. More importantly, high magnetic fields produce a steepening of the electron spectrum over a wide energy range which may make it more difficult to differentiate between IC and pion-decay emission solely by spectral shape.

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arXiv2006

The Chandra View of the Supernova Remnant 0506-68.0 in the Large Magellanic Cloud

A new Chandra observation of SNR 0506-68.0 (also called N23) reveals a complex, highly structured morphology in the low energy X-ray band and an isolated compact central object in the high energy band. Spectral analysis indicates that the X-ray emission overall is dominated by thermal gas whose composition is consistent with swept-up ambient material. There is a strong gradient in ambient density across the diameter of the remnant. Toward the southeast, near a prominent star cluster, the emitting density is 10 - 23 cm^{-3} while toward the northwest it has dropped to a value of only 1 cm^{-3}. The total extent of the X-ray remnant is 100" by 120" (24 pc x 29 pc for a distance of 50 kpc), somewhat larger than previously known. The remnant's age is estimated to be ~4600 yr. One part of the remnant shows evidence for enhanced O, Ne, and perhaps Mg abundances, which is interpreted as evidence for ejecta from a massive star core collapse supernova. The compact central object has a luminosity of a few times 10^{33} ergs/s and no obvious radio or optical counterpart. It does not show an extended nebula or pulsed emission as expected from a young energetic pulsar, but resembles the compact central objects seen in other core collapse SNe, such as Cas A.

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arXiv2005

Young Neutron Stars and Their Wind Nebulae

With Teragauss magnetic fields, surface gravity sufficiently strong to significantly modify light paths, central densities higher than that of a standard nucleus, and rotation periods of only hundredths of a second, young neutron stars are sites of some of the most extreme physical conditions known in the Universe. They generate magnetic winds with particles that are accelerated to energies in excess of a TeV. These winds form synchrotron-emitting bubbles as the particle stream is eventually decelerated to match the general expansion caused by the explosion that formed the neutron stars. The structure of these pulsar wind nebulae allow us to infer properties of the winds and the pulsating neutron stars themselves. The surfaces of the the stars radiate energy from the rapidly cooling interiors where the physical structure is basically unknown because of our imprecise knowledge of the strong interaction at ultrahigh densities. Here I present a summary of recent measurements that allow us to infer the birth properties of neutron stars and to probe the nature of their winds, the physics of their atmospheres, and the structure of their interiors.

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arXiv2005

The Devil is in the Details: Compact Structures in Pulsar Wind Nebulae

The large-scale structure of pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe) tells us a considerable amount about their average magnetic fields, the total particle input from the pulsar winds, and the confining pressure at their outer boundaries. However, the details of the pulsar outflow, the sites of shocks and particle acceleration, the effects of instabilities in the magnetic field, and the interaction between the relativistic wind and the surrounding ejecta are contained in small-scale structures, where we observe jets and toroidal structures, time-varying emission from compact clumps, and filaments in both the inner and outer regions of the nebulae. Here I review recent observational studies of compact structures in PWNe and present current scenarios (and questions) regarding their origin.

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arXiv2004

New Constraints on the Structure and Evolution of the Pulsar Wind Nebula 3C 58

We present an investigation of the spectral and spatial structure of the X-ray emission from 3C 58 based on a 350 ks observation with the Chandra X-ray Observatory. This deep image, obtained as part of the Chandra Large Project program, reveals new information on nearly all spatial scales in the pulsar wind nebula (PWN). On the smallest scales we derive an improved limit of T < 1.02 X 10^6 K for blackbody emission from the entire surface of the central neutron star (NS), confirming the need for rapid, nonstandard cooling in the stellar interior. Furthermore, we show that the data are consistent with emission from a light element atmosphere with a similar temperature. Surrounding the NS, a toroidal structure with a jet is resolved, consistent with earlier measurements and indicative of an east-west orientation for the projected rotation axis of the pulsar. A complex of loop-like X-ray filaments fills the nebula interior, and corresponds well with structures seen in the radio band. Several of the structures coincide with optical filaments as well. The emission from the interior of the PWN, including the pulsar, jet, and filaments, is primarily nonthermal in nature. The power law index steepens with radius, but appears to also show small azimuthal variations. The outermost regions of the nebula require a thermal emission component, confirming the presence of an ejecta-rich swept up shell.

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arXiv2004

An X-Ray Pulsar, Metal-rich Ejecta, and Shocked Ambient Medium in the Supernova Remnant G292.0+1.8

We report the discovery of pulsed X-ray emission from the compact object CXOU J112439.1-591620 within the Galactic supernova remnant G292.0+1.8 using the High Resolution Camera on the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. The X-ray period is consistent with the extrapolation of the radio period and spindown rate of PSR J1124-5916. The X-ray pulse is single peaked and broad. There is no optical counterpart to a limit of M_V ~ 26. The pressure in the pulsar wind nebula is considerably less than that in the reverse-shock-heated ejecta and circumstellar medium, indicating that the reverse shock has not yet begun to interact with the nebula.

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arXiv2004

X-Ray Timing of the Young Pulsar in 3C 58

PSR J0205+6449 is a young pulsar in the Crab-like pulsar wind nebula 3C 58 which is thought to be a result of the historical supernova SN1181 CE. The 65.7-ms pulsar is the second most energetic of the known Galactic pulsars and has been shown to be remarkably cool for its age, implying non-standard cooling processes in the neutron star core. We report on RXTE timing observations taken during AO7 and supplemented by monthly radio observations of the pulsar made with the Green Bank Telescope (GBT). The total duration covered with the timing solutions is 450 days. We measure very high levels of timing noise from the source and find evidence for a ``giant'' glitch of magnitude Delta nu/nu ~ 1x10^-6 that occurred in 2002 October. We have also measured the phase-resolved spectra of the pulsations and find them to be surprisingly hard, with photon indices Gamma = 0.84 +0.06/-0.15 for the main pulse and Gamma = 1.0 +0.4/-0.3 for the interpulse assuming an absorbed power-law model.

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arXiv2003

High resolution X-ray observations of 3C 58

As the presumed remnant of SN1181, 3C 58 houses one of the youngest known neutron stars in the Galaxy. The properties of this young pulsar and its associated wind nebula differ considerably from those of the Crab, and may well offer a more typical example of the endpoint of massive star collapse. High resolution X-ray studies reveal structures in the inner nebula that may be associated with the pulsar wind termination shock, a jet that may be aligned with the rotation axis, and other regions of enhanced emission. Spectral variations in the PWN are consistent with the expected evolution of the postshock flow, and complex loops of emission are seen in the nebula interior. Limits on the NS surface temperature fall below standard cooling models, indicating that some more rapid neutrino cooling process is required. The outer regions of 3C 58 show thermal emission with enhanced levels of Ne, indicative of shocked ejecta bounding the PWN.

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arXiv2003

X-ray Observations of the Compact Source in CTA 1

The point source RX J0007.0+7302, at the center of supernova remnant CTA 1, was studied using the X-Ray Multi-mirror Mission. The X-ray spectrum of the source is consistent with a neutron star interpretation, and is well described by a power law with the addition of a soft thermal component that may correspond to emission from hot polar cap regions or to cooling emission from a light element atmosphere over the entire star. There is evidence of extended emission on small spatial scales which may correspond to structure in the underlying synchrotron nebula. No pulsations are observed. Extrapolation of the nonthermal spectrum of RX J0007.0+7302 to gamma-ray energies yields a flux consistent with that of EGRET source 3EG J0010+7309, supporting the proposition that there is a gamma-ray emitting pulsar at the center of CTA 1. Observations of the outer regions of CTA 1 with the Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics confirm earlier detections of thermal emission from the remnant and show that the synchrotron nebula extends to the outermost reaches of the SNR.

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arXiv2002

Chandra Studies of Nonthermal Emission from Supernova Remnants and Pulsar Wind Nebulae

While supernova remnants (SNRs) have long been considered prime candidates as sources of cosmic rays, it is only recently that X-ray observations have identified several shell-type SNRs dominated by nonthermal emission, thus revealing shock-accelerated electrons with energies extending far beyond the typical thermal spectrum. Two of these SNRs have been detected as sources of VHE gamma-rays.In other remnants, discrepancies between the shock velocity and the electron temperature point to a strong cosmic ray component that has thrived at the expense of the thermal gas. Modeling of the radio, X-ray, and gamma-ray emission provides constraints on particle acceleration as well as the properties of the medium in which the mechanism prospers. Crab-like pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe) are characterized by a termination shock at which the wind is forced to join the slow expansion of the outer nebula. These shocks also act as sites in which particles are boosted to high energies; the X-ray emission from the Crab Nebula, as well as the inverse Compton radiation observed as VHE gamma-rays, imply electrons with energies in excess of ~100 TeV. Recent X-ray observations have begun to reveal these shock zones in the Crab and other PWNe, and are now allowing us to constrain the nature of pulsar winds as well as the flow conditions in the outer nebulae. Here I present a brief overview of recent studies with the Chandra X-ray Observatory in which the properties of these shock acceleration regions are finally being revealed.

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arXiv2002

Particle Acceleration in Supernova Remnants and Pulsar Wind Nebulae

While supernova remnants (SNRs) have long been considered prime candidates for the source of cosmic rays, at least to energies up to ~10^14 eV, it is only over the past several years that direct evidence of such energetic particles in SNRs has been uncovered. X-ray observations of several shell-type SNRs have now revealed sites dominated by nonthermal emission, indicating an electron population whose energy extends far beyond the thermal distribution typical of such SNRs. In other remnants, discrepancies between the shock velocity and the electron temperature points to a strong cosmic ray component that has essentially thrived at the expense of the thermal component of the gas. Modeling of the radio, X-ray, and gamma-ray emission provides strong constraints on the acceleration mechanism as well as the properties of the ambient medium in which the mechanism prospers. In the innermost regions of some SNRs, particle acceleration is taking place over much different scales. The formation of Crab-like pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe) is understood to require the presence of a termination shock at which the relativistic pulsar wind is forced to join the slow expansion of the outer nebula. While the acceleration mechanism is necessarily different, these shocks also act as sites in which particles are boosted to high energies. In the Crab Nebula, optical wisps mark the location of this termination shock. Recent X-ray observations have begun to reveal the termination shock zones in other PWNe, and are now allowing us to constrain the nature of the pulsar wind as well as the flow conditions in the outer nebula. Here I present a summary of the properties of shock acceleration in these two distinct regions of SNRs, and review recent observational results in which the properties of the shocks are finally being revealed.

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arXiv2002

New Constraints on Neutron Star Cooling from Chandra Observations of 3C58

3C58 is a young Crab-like supernova remnant. Historical evidence strongly suggests an association of the remnant with supernova SN 1181, which would make 3C58 younger than the Crab Nebula. Recent Chandra observations have identified the young 65 ms pulsar J0205+6449 at its center, embedded in a compact nebula which, we show here, appears to be confined by the pulsar wind termination shock. We present new Chandra observations of this compact nebula and embedded pulsar which set strong upper limits on thermal emission originating from the neutron star surface. These limits fall far below predictions of standard neutron star cooling, requiring the presence of exotic cooling processes in the neutron star core.

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arXiv2001

ASCA Observations of the Thermal Composite Supernova Remnant 3C 391

We present the results from ASCA observations of the centrally enhanced supernova remnant 3C 391 (G31.9+0.0). We use the ASCA SIS data to carry out an investigation of the spatial and spectral properties of the X-ray emission from this remnant. The collisional equilibrium ionization and non-equilibrium ionization spectral fits indicate that the hot gas within the remnant has basically reached ionization equilibrium. The variation of the hydrogen column density across the remnant is in agreement with the presence of a molecular cloud to the northwest. The comparisons of hydrogen column and X-ray hardness between the NW and SE portions of the remnant support a scenario in which the SNR has broken out of a dense region into an adjacent region of lower density. The mean density within the SNR is observed to be much lower than the immediate ambient cloud density. This and the centrally brightened X-ray morphology can be explained either by the evaporation of engulfed cloudlets or by a radiative stage of evolution for the remnant.

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arXiv2001

An X-Ray Study of the Supernova Remnant G290.1-0.8

G290.1-0.8 (MSH 11-61A) is a supernova remnant (SNR) whose X-ray morphology is centrally bright. However, unlike the class of X-ray composite SNRs whose centers are dominated by nonthermal emission, presumably driven by a central pulsar, we show that the X-ray emission from G290.1-0.8 is thermal in nature, placing the remnant in an emerging class which includes such remnants as W44, W28, 3C391, and others. The evolutionary sequence which leads to such X-ray properties is not well understood. Here we investigate two scenarios for such emission: evolution in a cloudy interstellar medium, and early-stage evolution of a remnant into the radiative phase, including the effects of thermal conduction. We construct models for these scenarios in an attempt to reproduce the observed center-filled X-ray properties of G290.1-0.8, and we derive the associated age, energy, and ambient density conditions implied by the models. We find that for reasonable values of the explosion energy, the remnant age is of order (1 - 2) x 10^{4} yr. This places a fairly strong constraint on any association between G290.1-0.8 and PSR J1105-610, which would require an anomalously large velocity for the pulsar.

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arXiv2001

The Small-scale Structure of N103B - Nature of Nuture?

We present new results from a 40.8 ks Chandra ACIS observation of the young supernova remnant (SNR) N103B located in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The high resolution Chandra image reveals structure at the sub-arcsecond level, including several bright knots and filaments. Narrow-band imaging and spatially resolved spectroscopy reveal dramatic spectral variations in this remnant as well. In this paper we discuss whether these variations are due to inhomogeneities in the surrounding environment or were generated in the explosion which created the SNR.

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arXiv2001

Broad-band Observations and Modeling of the Shell-Type Supernova Remnant G347.3-0.5

The supernova remnant G347.3--0.5 emits a featureless power-law in X-rays, thought to indicate shock-acceleration of electrons to high energies. We here produce a broad-band spectrum of the bright NW limb of this source by combining radio observations from the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA), X-ray observations from the Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics (ASCA), and TeV gamma-ray observations from the CANGAROO imaging Cerenkov telescope. We assume this emission is produced by an electron population generated by diffusive shock acceleration at the remnant forward shock. The nonlinear aspects of the particle acceleration force a connection between the widely different wavelength bands and between the electrons and the unseen ions, presumably accelerated simultaneously with the electrons. This allows us to infer the relativistic proton spectrum and estimate ambient parameters such as the supernova explosion energy, magnetic field, matter density in the emission region, and efficiency of the shock acceleration process. We find convincing evidence that the shock acceleration is efficient, placing >25% of the shock kinetic energy flux into relativistic ions. Despite this high efficiency, the maximum electron and proton energies, while depending somewhat on assumptions for the compression of the magnetic field in the shock, are well below the observed `knee' at about 10^{15} eV in the Galactic cosmic-ray spectrum.

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