arXiv subjects

Stavros Dimitrakoudis

Publications and source records attributed to Stavros Dimitrakoudis.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

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.

astro-ph.HE↗

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.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

Multi-Epoch Modeling of TXS 0506+056 and Implications for Long-Term High-Energy Neutrino Emission

The IceCube report of a $\sim 3.5σ$ excess of $13\pm5$ neutrino events in the direction of the blazar TXS 05056+056 in 2014-2015 and the 2017 detection of a high-energy neutrino, IceCube-170922A, during a gamma-ray flare from the same blazar, have revived the interest in scenarios for neutrino production in blazars. We perform comprehensive analyses on the long-term electromagnetic emission of TXS 05056+056 using optical, X-ray, and gamma-ray data from the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN), the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory (Swift), the Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image (MAXI), and the Fermi Large Area Telescope (Fermi-LAT). We also perform numerical modeling of the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) in four epochs prior to 2017 with contemporaneous gamma-ray and lower energy (optical and/or X-ray) data. We find that the multi-epoch SEDs are consistent with a hybrid leptonic scenario, where the gamma-rays are produced in the blazar zone via external inverse Compton scattering of accelerated electrons, and high-energy neutrinos are produced via the photomeson production process of co-accelerated protons. The multi-epoch SEDs can be satisfactorily explained with the same jet parameters and variable external photon density and electron luminosity. Using the maximal neutrino flux derived for each epoch, we put an upper limit of $\sim0.4-2$ on the muon neutrino number in ten years of IceCube observations. Our results are consistent with the IceCube-170922A detection, which can be explained as an upper fluctuation from the average neutrino rate expected from the source, but in strong tension with the 2014-2015 neutrino flare.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2019

On the Close Correspondence between Storm-time ULF Wave Power and the POES VLF Chorus Wave Amplitude Proxy

Ground-based Pc5 ULF wave power in multiple ground-based meridians is compared to the VLF wave amplitude proxy, derived from POES precipitation, for the 33 storms studied by Li et al. [2015]. The results reveal common L-shell and time profiles for the ULF waves and VLF proxy for every single storm, especially at $L\leq 6$, and identical discrimination between efficient and inefficient radiation belt electron acceleration. The observations imply either ULF waves play a role in driving precipitation which is falsely interpreted as VLF wave power in the proxy, ULF waves drive VLF waves (the reverse being energetically unfeasible), or both have a common driver with nearly identical L-shell and time-dependence. Global ground-based ULF wave power coherence implies a small number of meridians can be used to estimate storm-time radial diffusion coefficients. However, the strong correspondence between ULF wave power and VLF wave proxy complicates causative assessments of electron acceleration.

physics.space-ph↗

arXiv2016

Time-dependent neutrino emission from Mrk 421 during flares and predictions for IceCube

Blazars are prime candidate sources for the high energy neutrinos recently detected by IceCube. Being one of the brightest sources in the extragalactic X-ray and $γ$-ray sky as well as one of the nearest blazars to Earth, Mrk 421 is an excellent source for testing the scenario of the blazar-neutrino connection. Here, we model the spectral energy distribution of Mrk 421 during a 13-day flare in 2010 with unprecedented multi-wavelength coverage, and calculate the respective neutrino flux. We find a correlation between the $>1$ PeV neutrino and photon fluxes, in all energy bands. Using typical IceCube through-going muon event samples with good angular resolution and high statistics, we derive the mean event rate above 100 TeV ($\sim0.57$ evt/yr) and show that it is comparable to that expected from a four-month quiescent period in 2009. Due to the short duration of the flare, an accumulation of similar flares over several years would be necessary to produce a meaningful signal for IceCube. To better assess this, we apply the correlation between the neutrino and $γ$-ray fluxes to the 6.9 yr Fermi-LAT light curve of Mrk 421. We find that the mean event count above 1 PeV for the full IceCube detector livetime is $3.59\pm0.60$ ($2.73\pm0.38$) $ν_μ+\barν_μ$ with (without) major flares included in our analysis. This estimate exceeds, within the uncertainties, the $95\%$ ($90\%$) threshold value for the detection of one or more muon (anti-)neutrinos. Meanwhile, the most conservative scenario, where no correlation of $γ$-rays and neutrinos is assumed, predicts $1.60\pm0.16$ $ν_μ+\barν_μ$ events. We conclude that a non-detection of high-energy neutrinos by IceCube would probe the neutrino/$γ$-ray flux correlation during major flares or/and the hadronic contribution to the blazar emission.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2016

The many faces of blazar emission in the context of hadronic models

We present two ways of modeling the spectral energy distribution of blazars in the hadronic context and discuss the predictions of each "hadronic variant" on the spectral shape, the multi-wavelength variability, the cosmic-ray flux, and the high-energy neutrino emission. Focusing on the latter, we then present an application of the hadronic model to individual BL Lacs that were recently suggested to be the counterparts of some of the IceCube neutrinos, and conclude by discussing the contribution of the whole BL Lac class to the observed neutrino background.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2015

Accurately specifying storm-time ULF wave radial diffusion in the radiation belts

Ultra-low frequency (ULF) waves can contribute to the transport, acceleration and loss of electrons in the radiation belts through inward and outward diffusion. However, the most appropriate parameters to use to specify the ULF wave diffusion rates are unknown. Empirical representations of diffusion coefficients often use Kp; however, specifications using ULF wave power offer an improved physics-based approach. We use 11 years of ground-based magnetometer array measurements to statistically parameterise the ULF wave power with Kp, solar wind speed, solar wind dynamic pressure and Dst. We find Kp is the best single parameter to specify the statistical ULF wave power driving radial diffusion. Significantly, remarkable high energy tails exist in the ULF wave power distributions when expressed as a function of Dst. Two parameter ULF wave power specifications using Dst as well as Kp provide a better statistical representation of storm-time radial diffusion than any single variable alone.

physics.space-ph↗

arXiv2015

Constraints of Flat Spectrum Radio Quasars in the hadronic model: the case of 3C 273

We present a method of constraining the properties of the $γ$-ray emitting region in flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) in the one-zone proton synchrotron model, where the $γ$-rays are produced by synchrotron radiation of relativistic protons. We show that for low enough values of the Doppler factor $δ$, the emission from the electromagnetic (EM) cascade which is initiated by the internal absorption of high-energy photons from photohadronic interactions may exceed the observed $\sim$GeV flux. We use that effect to derive an absolute lower limit of $δ$; first, an analytical one, in the asymptotic limit where the external radiation from the broad line region (BLR) is negligible, and then a numerical one in the more general case that includes BLR radiation. As its energy density in the emission region depends on $δ$ and the region's distance from the galactic center, we use the EM cascade to determine a minimum distance for each value of $δ$. We complement the EM cascade constraint with one derived from variability arguments and apply our method to the FSRQ 3C 273. We find that $δ\gtrsim 18-20$ for $B \lesssim 30$ G and $\sim$day timescale variability; the emission region is located outside the BLR, namely at $r \gtrsim 10 R_{\rm BLR} \sim 3$ pc; the model requires at pc-scale distances stronger magnetic fields than those inferred from core shift observations; while the jet power exceeds by at least one order of magnitude the accretion power. In short, our results disfavour the proton synchrotron model for the FSRQ 3C 273.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2015

Photohadronic origin of $γ$-ray BL Lac emission: implications for IceCube neutrinos

The recent IceCube discovery of 0.1-1 PeV neutrinos of astrophysical origin opens up a new era for high-energy astrophysics. Although there are various astrophysical candidate sources, a firm association of the detected neutrinos with one (or more) of them is still lacking. A recent analysis of plausible astrophysical counterparts within the error circles of IceCube events showed that likely counterparts for nine of the IceCube neutrinos include mostly BL Lacs, among which Mrk 421. Motivated by this result and a previous independent analysis on the neutrino emission from Mrk 421, we test the BL Lac-neutrino connection in the context of a specific theoretical model for BL Lac emission. We model the spectral energy distribution (SED) of the BL Lacs selected as counterparts of the IceCube neutrinos using a one-zone leptohadronic model and mostly nearly simultaneous data. The neutrino flux for each BL Lac is self-consistently calculated, using photon and proton distributions specifically derived for every individual source. We find that the SEDs of the sample, although different in shape and flux, are all well fitted by the model using reasonable parameter values. Moreover, the model-predicted neutrino flux and energy for these sources are of the same order of magnitude as those of the IceCube neutrinos. In two cases, namely Mrk 421 and H 1914-194, we find a suggestively good agreement between the model prediction and the detected neutrino flux. Our predictions for all the BL Lacs of the sample are in the range to be confirmed or disputed by IceCube in the next few years of data sampling.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2014

Implications of a PeV neutrino spectral cutoff in GRB models

The recent discovery of extragalactic PeV neutrinos opens a new window to the exploration of cosmic-ray accelerators. The observed PeV neutrino flux is close to the Waxman-Bahcall upper bound implying that gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) may be the source of ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs). Starting with the assumption of the GRB-UHECR connection, we show using both analytical estimates and numerical simulations that the observed neutrinos can originate at the jet as a result of photopion interactions with the following implications: the neutrino spectra are predicted to have a cutoff at energy $\le 10$ PeV; the dissipation responsible for the GRB emission and cosmic-ray acceleration takes place at distances $r_{\rm diss} \approx 3 \times 10^{11}-3 \times 10^{13} \ {\rm cm}$ from the central engine; the Thomson optical depth at the dissipation region is $τ_{\rm T} \sim 1$; the jet carries a substantial fraction of its energy in the form of Poynting flux at the dissipation region, and has a Lorentz factor $Γ\simeq 100-500$. The non-detection of $\sim$PeV neutrinos coincident with GRBs will indicate that GRBs are either poor cosmic accelerators or the dissipation takes place at small optical depths in the jet.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2014

Hadronic supercriticality as a trigger for GRB emission

We explore a one-zone hadronic model that may be able to reproduce $γ$-ray burst (GRB) prompt emission with a minimum of free parameters. Assuming only that GRBs are efficient high-energy proton accelerators and without the presence of an ab initio photon field, we investigate the conditions under which the system becomes supercritical, i.e. there is a fast, non-linear transfer of energy from protons to secondary particles initiated by the spontaneous quenching of proton-produced $γ$-rays. We first show analytically that the transition to supercriticality occurs whenever the proton injection compactness exceeds a critical value, which favours high proton injection luminosities and a wide range of bulk Lorentz factors. The properties of supercriticality are then studied with a time-dependent numerical code that solves concurrently the coupled equations of proton, photon, electron, neutron and neutrino distributions. For conditions that drive the system deep into the supercriticality we find that the photon spectra obtain a Band-like shape due to Comptonization by cooled pairs and that the energy transfer efficiency from protons to $γ$-rays and neutrinos is high reaching $\sim 0.3$. Although some questions concerning its full adaptability to the GRB prompt emission remain open, supercriticality is found to be a promising process in that regard.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2013

One-zone SSC model for the core emission of Centaurus A revisited

Aims: We investigate the role of the second synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) photon generation to the multiwavelength emission from the compact regions of sources that are characterized as misaligned blazars. For this, we focus on the nearest high-energy emitting radio galaxy Centaurus A and we revisit the one-zone SSC model for its core emission. Methods: We have calculated analytically the peak luminosities of the first and second SSC components by, first, deriving the steady-state electron distribution in the presence of synchrotron and SSC cooling and, then, by using appropriate expressions for the positions of the spectral peaks. We have also tested our analytical results against those derived from a numerical code where the full emissivities and cross-sections were used. Results: We show that the one-zone SSC model cannot account for the core emission of Centaurus A above a few GeV, where the peak of the second SSC component appears. We, thus, propose an alternative explanation for the origin of the high energy ($\gtrsim 0.4$ GeV) and TeV emission, where these are attributed to the radiation emitted by a relativistic proton component through photohadronic interactions with the photons produced by the primary leptonic component. We show that the required proton luminosities are not extremely high, e.g. $\sim 10^{43}$ erg/s, provided that the injection spectra are modelled by a power-law with a high value of the lower energy cutoff. Finally, we find that the contribution of the core emitting region of Cen A to the observed neutrino and ultra-high energy cosmic-ray fluxes is negligible.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2013

Self-consistent neutrino and UHE cosmic ray spectra from Mrk 421

We examine the neutrino and cosmic ray spectra resulting from two models of fitting the spectral energy distribution (SED) of the blazar Mrk~421 using a self-consistent leptohadronic code. The $γ$-ray emission is attributed to either synchrotron radiation of ultra-high energy protons (LHs model) or to synchrotron radiation from electrons that result from photopion interactions of lower energy protons (LH$π$ model). Although both models succeed in fitting satisfactorily the SED, the parameter values that they use result in significantly different neutrino and cosmic-ray spectra. For the LH$π$ model, which requires high proton energy density, we find that the neutrino spectrum peaks at an energy $E_{\rm ν,peak}= 3.3$ PeV which falls well within the energy range of recent neutrino observations. While at the same time its peak flux is just under the sensitivity limit of IC-40 observations, it cannot produce ultra-high energy cosmic rays. In the LHs model, on the other hand, neutrinos are far from being detectable because of their low flux and peak energy at $E_{\rm ν,peak} \simeq 100$ PeV. However, the propagation of protons produced by the decay of escaping neutrons results in an ultra-high energy cosmic ray flux close to that observed by Pierre Augere, HiRes and Telescope Array at energies $E_p \simeq 30$ EeV.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2013

Mrk 421 as a case study for TeV and X-ray variability in leptohadronic models

We investigate the origin of high-energy emission in blazars within the context of the leptohadronic one-zone model. We find that $γ$-ray emission can be attributed to synchrotron radiation either from protons or from secondary leptons produced via photohadronic processes. These possibilities imply differences not only in the spectral energy distribution (SED) but also in the variability signatures, especially in the X- and $γ$-ray regime. Thus, the temporal behavior of each leptohadronic scenario can be used to probe the particle population responsible for the high-energy emission as it can give extra information not available by spectral fits. In the present work we apply these ideas to the non-thermal emission of Mrk 421. We focus on the observations of March 2001, since during that period Mrk 421 showed multiple flares that have been observed in detail both in X-rays and $γ$-rays. First, we obtain pre-flaring fits to the SED using the different types of leptohadronic scenarios. Then, we introduce random-walk type, small-amplitude variations on the injection compactness or on the maximum energy of radiating particles and follow the subsequent response of the radiated photon spectrum. For each leptohadronic scenario, we calculate the X-ray and $γ$-ray fluxes and investigate their possible correlation. Whenever the `input' variations lead, apart from flux variability, also to spectral variability, we present the resulting relations between the spectral index and the flux, both in X-rays and $γ$-rays. We find that proton synchrotron models are favoured energetically but require fine tuning between electron and proton parameters to reproduce the observed quadratic behaviour between X-rays and TeV $γ-$rays. On the other hand, models based on pion-decay can reproduce this behaviour in a much more natural way.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2011

The time-dependent one-zone hadronic model: first principles

We present some results on the radiative signatures of the one zone hadronic model. For this we have solved five spatially averaged, time-dependent coupled kinetic equations which describe the evolution of relativistic protons, electrons, photons, neutrons and neutrinos in a spherical volume containing a magnetic field. Protons are injected and lose energy by synchrotron, photopair and photopion production. We model photopair and photopion using the results of relevant MC codes, like the SOPHIA code in the case of photopion, which give accurate description for the injection of secondaries which then become source functions in their respective equations. This approach allows us to calculate the expected photon and neutrino spectra simultaneously in addition to examining questions like the efficiency and the temporal behaviour of the hadronic models.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2008

Obtaining the diffusion coefficient for cosmic ray propagation in the Galactic Centre Ridge through time-dependent simulations of their gamma-ray emission

Recent observations by the H.E.S.S. collaboration of the Galactic Centre region have revealed what appears to be gamma-ray emission from the decay of pions produced by interactions of recently accelerated cosmic rays with local molecular hydrogen clouds. Synthesizing a 3-D hydrogen cloud map from the available data and assuming a diffusion coefficient of the form kappa(E) = kappa_0(E/E0)^delta, we performed Monte Carlo simulations of cosmic ray diffusion for various propagation times and values of kappa_0 and delta. By fitting the model gamma-ray spectra to the observed one we were able to infer the value of the diffusion coefficient in that environment (kappa = 3.0 +/- 0.2 kpc^2 Myr^-1 for E = 10^12.5 eV and for total propagation time 10^4 yr) as well as the source spectrum (2.1 < gamma < 2.3). Also, we found that proton losses can be substantial, which justifies our approach to the problem.

astro-ph↗