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Yasuyuki T. Tanaka

Publications and source records attributed to Yasuyuki T. Tanaka.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Follow-up Observations for IceCube-170922A: Detection of Rapid Near-Infrared Variability and Intensive Monitoring of TXS 0506+056

We present our follow-up observations to search for an electromagnetic counterpart of the IceCube high-energy neutrino, IceCube-170922A. Monitoring observations of a likely counterpart, TXS 0506+056, are also described. First, we quickly took optical and near-infrared images of 7 flat-spectrum radio sources within the IceCube error region right after the neutrino detection and found a rapid flux decline of TXS 0506+056 in Kanata/HONIR J-band data. Motivated by this discovery, intensive follow-up observations of TXS 0506+056 are continuously done, including our monitoring imaging observations, spectroscopic observations, and polarimetric observations in optical and near-infrared wavelengths. TXS 0506+056 shows a large amplitude (~1.0 mag) variability in a time scale of several days or longer, although no significant variability is detected in a time scale of a day or shorter. TXS 0506+056 also shows a bluer-when-brighter trend in optical and near-infrared wavelengths. Structure functions of variabilities are examined and indicate that TXS 0506+056 is not a special blazar in terms of optical variability. Polarization measurement results of TXS 0506+056 are also discussed.

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Blazar Radio and Optical Survey (BROS): A catalog of blazar candidates showing flat radio spectrum and their optical identification in Pan-STARRS1 Surveys

Utilizing the latest and the most sensitive radio and optical catalogs, we completed a new blazar candidate catalog, Blazar Radio and Optical Survey (BROS), which includes 88,211 sources located at declination $δ> -40^{\circ}$ and outside the galactic plane ($|b| > 10^{\circ}$). We list compact flat-spectrum radio sources of $α> -0.6$ ($α$ is defined as $F_ν \propto ν^α$ ) from 0.15~GHz TGSS and 1.4~GHz NVSS catalogs. We further identify optical counterparts of the selected sources by cross-matching with Pan-STARRS1 photometric data. Color-color and color-magnitude plots for the selected BROS sources clearly show two distinct populations, An "quasar-like" population consisting of both flat-spectrum radio quasars and BL Lac type objects. On the other hand, an "elliptical-like" population of mostly BL Lac-type objects is buried in the elliptical galaxy. We emphasize that the latter population is missed by previous catalogs but newly emerged in the present BROS catalog, due to the lower radio flux threshold of our selection. Model calculations show that the "elliptical-like" population consists of elliptical galaxies located at redshift z $\lesssim$ 0.5, which is also supported by the logN-logS distribution of the power-law index of $1.49 \pm 0.05$. This BROS catalog is useful for identifying the electromagnetic counterparts of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays and PeV neutrinos recently detected by IceCube, as well as nearby BL Lac objects detectable by future high sensitivity TeV telescopes, such as Cherenkov Telescope Array.

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OISTER Optical and Near-Infrared Monitoring Observations of a Peculiar Radio-Loud Active Galactic Nucleus SDSS J110006.07+442144.3

We present monitoring campaign observations at optical and near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths for a radio-loud active galactic nucleus (AGN) at z=0.840, SDSS~J110006.07+442144.3 (hereafter, J1100+4421), which was identified during a flare phase in late February, 2014. The campaigns consist of three intensive observing runs from the discovery to March, 2015, mostly within the scheme of the OISTER collaboration. Optical-NIR light curves and simultaneous spectral energy distributions (SEDs) are obtained. Our measurements show the strongest brightening in March, 2015. We found that the optical-NIR SEDs of J1100+4421 show an almost steady shape despite the large and rapid intranight variability. This constant SED shape is confirmed to extend to $\sim5~μ$m in the observed frame using the archival WISE data. Given the lack of absorption lines and the steep power-law spectrum of $α_ν\sim-1.4$, where $f_ν\proptoν^{α_ν}$, synchrotron radiation by a relativistic jet with no or small contributions from the host galaxy and the accretion disk seems most plausible as an optical-NIR emission mechanism. The steep optical-NIR spectral shape and the large amplitude of variability are consistent with this object being a low $ν_{\rm{peak}}$ jet-dominated AGN. In addition, sub-arcsec resolution optical imaging data taken with Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam does not show a clear extended component and the spatial scales are significantly smaller than the large extensions detected at radio wavelengths. The optical spectrum of a possible faint companion galaxy does not show any emission lines at the same redshift and hence a merging hypothesis for this AGN-related activity is not supported by our observations.

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Disk-Jet Connection in Active Supermassive Black Holes in the Standard Accretion Disk Regime

We study the disk-jet connection in supermassive black holes by investigating the properties of their optical and radio emissions utilizing the SDSS-DR7 and the NVSS catalogs. Our sample contains 7017 radio-loud quasars with detection both at 1.4~GHz and SDSS optical spectrum. Using this radio-loud quasar sample, we investigate the correlation among the jet power ($P_{\rm jet}$), the bolometric disk luminosity ($L_{\rm disk}$), and the black hole mass ($M_{\rm BH}$) in the standard accretion disk regime. We find that the jet powers correlate with the bolometric disk luminosities as $\log P_{\rm jet} = (0.96\pm0.012)\log L_{\rm disk} + (0.79 \pm 0.55)$. This suggests that the jet production efficiency of $η_{\rm jet}\simeq1.1_{-0.76}^{+2.6}\times10^{-2}$ assuming the disk radiative efficiency of $0.1$ implying low black hole spin parameters and/or low magnetic flux for radio-loud quasars. But it can be also due to dependence of the efficiency on geometrical thickness of the accretion flow which is expected to be small for quasars accreting at the disk Eddington ratios $0.01 \lesssim λ\lesssim 0.3$. This low jet production efficiency does not significantly increase even if we set the disk radiative efficiency of 0.3. We also investigate the fundamental plane in our samples among $P_{\rm jet}$, $L_{\rm disk}$, and $M_{\rm BH}$. We could not find a statistically significant fundamental plane for radio-loud quasars in the standard accretion regime.

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High Energy Gamma Rays from Nebulae Associated with Extragalactic Microquasars and Ultra-Luminous X-ray Sources

In the extragalactic sky, microquasars and ultra-luminous X-ray sources (ULXs) are known as energetic compact objects locating at off-nucleus positions in galaxies. Some of these objects are associated with expanding bubbles with a velocity of 80-250 ${\rm km~s^{-1}}$. We investigate the shock acceleration of particles in those expanding nebulae. The nebulae having fast expansion velocity $\gtrsim120~{\rm km~s^{-1}}$ are able to accelerate cosmic rays up to $\sim100$ TeV. If 10% of the shock kinetic energy goes into particle acceleration, powerful nebulae such as the microquasar S26 in NGC 7793 would emit gamma rays up to several tens TeV with a photon index of $\sim2$. These nebulae will be good targets for future Cherenkov Telescope Array observations given its sensitivity and angular resolution. They would also contribute to $\sim7$% of the unresolved cosmic gamma-ray background radiation at $\ge0.1~{\rm GeV}$. In contrast, particle acceleration in slowly expanding nebulae $\lesssim120~{\rm km~s^{-1}}$ would be less efficient due to ion-neutral collisions and result in softer spectra at $\gtrsim10$ GeV.

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Measurement of Interstellar Polarization and Estimation of Galactic Extinction for the Direction of X-ray Black Hole Binary V404 Cygni

V404 Cygni is a well-known black hole binary candidate thought to have relativistic jets. It showed extreme outbursts on June 2015, characterized by a large amplitude and short time variation of flux in the radio, optical, and X-ray bands. Not only disk emission, but also synchrotron radiation from the relativistic jets were suggested by radio observations. However, it is difficult to measure the accurate spectral shape in the optical/near infrared band because there are uncertainties of interstellar extinction. To estimate the extinction value for V404 Cygni, we performed photopolarimetric and spectroscopic observations of V404 Cygni and nearby field stars. Here, we estimate the Galactic extinction using interstellar polarization based on the observation that the origin of the optical polarization is the interstellar medium, and investigate the properties of interstellar polarization around V404~Cygni. We found a good correlation between the color excess and polarization degree in the field stars. We also confirmed that the wavelength dependence of the polarization degree in the highly polarized field stars was similar to that of V404~Cygni. Using the highly polarized field stars, we estimated the color excess and the extinction, $E(B-V)=1.2 \pm 0.2$ and $3.0 < A(V) < 3.6$, respectively. A tendency for a bluer peak of polarization ($λ_{\rm max}<5500$ Å) was commonly seen in the highly polarized field stars, suggesting that the dust grains toward this region are generally smaller than the Galactic average. The corrected spectral energy distribution of V404~Cygni in the near infrared (NIR) and optical bands in our results indicated a spectral break between $2.5 \times 10^{14}$ Hz and $3.7 \times 10^{14}$ Hz, which might be originated in the synchrotron self absorption.

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Systematic Study of Gamma-ray bright Blazars with Optical Polarization and Gamma-ray Variability

Blazars are highly variable active galactic nuclei which emit radiation at all wavelengths from radio to gamma-rays. Polarized radiation from blazars is one key piece of evidence for synchrotron radiation at low energies and it also varies dramatically. The polarization of blazars is of interest for understanding the origin, confinement, and propagation of jets. However, even though numerous measurements have been performed, the mechanisms behind jet creation, composition and variability are still debated. We performed simultaneous gamma-ray and optical photopolarimetry observations of 45 blazars between Jul. 2008 and Dec. 2014 to investigate the mechanisms of variability and search for a basic relation between the several subclasses of blazars. We identify a correlation between the maximum degree of optical linear polarization and the gamma-ray luminosity or the ratio of gamma-ray to optical fluxes. Since the maximum polarization degree depends on the condition of the magnetic field (chaotic or ordered), this result implies a systematic difference in the intrinsic alignment of magnetic fields in pc-scale relativistic jets between different types blazars (FSRQs vs. BL Lacs), and consequently between different types of radio galaxies (FR Is vs. FR IIs).

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Binary Black Hole Merger Rates Inferred from Luminosity Function of Ultra-Luminous X-ray Sources

The Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (aLIGO) has detected direct signals of gravitational waves (GWs) from GW150914. The event was a merger of binary black holes whose masses are $36^{+5}_{-4}M_{\odot}$ and $29^{+4}_{-4}M_{\odot}$. Such binary systems are expected to be directly evolved from stellar binary systems or formed by dynamical interactions of black holes in dense stellar environments. Here we derive the binary black hole merger rate based on the nearby ultra-luminous X-ray source (ULX) luminosity function (LF) under the assumption that binary black holes evolve through X-ray emitting phases. We obtain the binary black hole merger rate as $5.8 ({t}_{\rm ULX}/{0.1 \ \rm Myr})^{-1} λ^{-0.6} \exp{(-0.30λ)} \ {\rm Gpc^{-3}\ yr^{-1}}$, where $t_{\rm ULX}$ is the typical duration of the ULX phase and $λ$ is the Eddington ratio in luminosity. This is coincident with the event rate inferred from the detection of GW150914 as well as the predictions based on binary population synthesis models. Although we are currently unable to constrain the Eddington ratio of ULXs in luminosity due to the uncertainties of our models and measured binary black hole merger event rates, further X-ray and GW data will allow us to narrow down the range of the Eddington ratios of ULXs. We also find the cumulative merger rate for the mass range of $5M_\odot\le M_{\rm BH}\le100M_\odot$ inferred from the ULX LF is consistent with that estimated by the aLIGO collaboration considering various astrophysical conditions such as the mass function of black holes.

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Baryon Loading Efficiency and Particle Acceleration Efficiency of Relativistic Jets: Cases For Low Luminosity BL Lacs

Relativistic jets launched by supermassive black holes, so-called as active galactic nuclei (AGNs), are known as the most energetic particle accelerators in the universe. However, the baryon loading efficiency onto the jets from the accretion flows and their particle acceleration efficiencies have been veiled in mystery. With the latest data sets, we perform multi-wavelength spectral analysis of quiescent spectra of 13 TeV gamma-ray detected high-frequency-peaked BL Lacs (HBLs) following one-zone static synchrotron-self-Compton (SSC) model. We determine the minimum, cooling break, and maximum electron Lorentz factors following the diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) theory. We find that HBLs have $P_B/P_e\sim6.3\times10^{-3}$ and the radiative efficiency $ε_{\rm rad,jet}\sim6.7\times10^{-4}$ where $P_B$ and $P_e$ is the Poynting and electron power, respectively. By assuming 10 leptons per one proton, the jet power relates to the black hole mass as $P_{\rm jet}/L_{\rm Edd}\sim0.18$ where $P_{\rm jet}$ and $L_{\rm Edd}$ is the jet power and the Eddington luminosity, respectively. Under our model assumptions, we further find that HBLs have the jet production efficiency of $η_{\rm jet}\sim1.5$ and the mass loading efficiency of $ξ_{\rm jet}\gtrsim5\times10^{-2}$. We also investigate the particle acceleration efficiency in the blazar zone by including the most recent Swift/BAT data. Our samples ubiquitously have the particle acceleration efficiency of $η_g\sim10^{4.5}$, which is inefficient to accelerate particles up to the ultra-high-energy-cosmic-ray (UHECR) regime. This implies that the UHECR acceleration sites should be other than the blazar zones of quiescent low power AGN jets, if one assumes the one-zone SSC model based on the DSA theory.

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EVN Observations of HESS J1943+213: Evidence for an Extreme TeV BL Lac Object

We report on the 1.6 GHz (18 cm) VLBI observations of the unresolved, steady TeV source HESS J1943+213 located in the Galactic plane, performed with the European VLBI Network (EVN) in 2014. Our new observations with a nearly full EVN array provide the deepest image of HESS J1943+213 at the highest resolution ever achieved, enabling us to resolve the long-standing issues of the source identification. The milliarcsecond-scale structure of HESS J1943+213 has a clear asymmetric morphology, consisting of a compact core and a diffuse jet-like tail. This is broadly consistent with the previous e-EVN observations of the source performed in 2011, and re-analyzed in this work. The core component is characterized by the brightness temperature of $\gtrsim1.8 \times 10^9$ K, which is typical for low-luminosity blazars in general. Overall, radio properties of HESS J1943+213 are consistent with the source classification as an "extreme high-frequency-peaked BL Lac object". Remarkably, we note that since HESS J1943+213 does not reveal any optical or infrared signatures of the AGN activity, it would never be recognized and identified as a BL Lac object, if not its location close to the Galactic plane where the High Energy Stereoscopic System has surveyed, and the follow-up dedicated X-ray and radio studies triggered by the source detection in the TeV range. Our results suggest therefore a presence of an unrecognized, possibly very numerous population of particularly extreme HBLs, and simultaneously demonstrate that the low-frequency VLBI observations with high-angular resolution are indispensable for a proper identification of such objects.

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Lower Bound on the Cosmic TeV Gamma-ray Background Radiation

The Fermi gamma-ray space telescope has revolutionized our understanding of the cosmic gamma-ray background radiation in the GeV band. However, investigation on the cosmic TeV gamma-ray background radiation still remains sparse. Here, we report the lower bound on the cosmic TeV gamma-ray background spectrum placed by the cumulative flux of individual detected extragalactic TeV sources including blazars, radio galaxies, and starburst galaxies. The current limit on the cosmic TeV gamma-ray background above 0.1 TeV is obtained as $2.8\times10^{-8} (E/100~{\rm GeV})^{-0.55} \exp(-E/2100~{\rm GeV})~{\rm [GeV/cm^2/s/sr]} < E^2dN/dE < 1.1\times10^{-7} (E/100~{\rm GeV})^{-0.49}~{\rm [GeV/cm^2/s/sr]}$, where the upper bound is set by requirement that the cascade flux from the cosmic TeV gamma-ray background radiation can not exceed the measured cosmic GeV gamma-ray background spectrum (Inoue & Ioka, 2012). Two nearby blazars, Mrk 421 and Mrk 501, explain ~70% of the cumulative background flux at 0.8-4 TeV, while extreme blazars start to dominate at higher energies. We also provide the cumulative background flux from each population, i.e. blazars, radio galaxies, and starburst galaxies which will be the minimum requirement for their contribution to the cosmic TeV gamma-ray background radiation.

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Prospect for Future MeV Gamma-ray Active Galactic Nuclei Population Studies

While the X-ray, GeV gamma-ray, and TeV gamma-ray skies have been extensively studied, the MeV gamma-ray sky is not well investigated after the Imaging Compton Telescope (COMPTEL) scanned the sky about two decades ago. In this paper, we investigate prospects for active galactic nuclei population studies with future MeV gamma-ray missions using recent spectral models and luminosity functions of Seyfert and flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs). Both of them are plausible candidates as the origins of the cosmic MeV gamma-ray background. If the cosmic MeV gamma-ray background radiation is dominated by non-thermal emission from Seyferts, the sensitivity of 10^-12 erg cm^-2 s^-1 is required to detect several hundred Seyferts in the entire sky. If FSRQs make up the cosmic MeV gamma-ray background, the sensitivity of ~4 x 10^-12 erg cm^-2 s^-1 is required to detect several hundred FSRQs following the recent FSRQ X-ray luminosity function. However, based on the latest FSRQ gamma-ray luminosity function, with which FSRQs can explain up to ~30% of the MeV background, we can expect several hundred FSRQs even with the sensitivity of 10^-11 erg cm^-2 s^-1 which is almost the same as the sensitivity goal of the next generation MeV telescopes.

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An emergence of new polarized emission region in blazar Mrk 421 associated with X-ray flare

We report on long-term multi-wavelength monitoring of blazar Mrk~421 from 2010 to 2011. The source exhibited extreme X-ray flares in 2010. Our research group performed optical photopolarimetric follow-up observations using the Kanata telescope. In 2010, the variability in the X-ray band was significant, while the optical and ultraviolet (UV) flux decreased gradually. Polarization properties also exhibited unique variability in 2010, suggesting the presence of systematic component of polarization and magnetic field alignment for the emergence of a new polarized emission region. In contrast, in 2011 the variability in the X-ray band was smaller, and the variability in the optical and UV bands was larger, than in 2010. To explore the reasons for these differences, spectral fitting analysis was performed via simple synchrotron-self Compton modelling; the results revealed different behaviors in terms of spectral evolution between these periods, suggesting different variability mechanisms between 2010 and 2011. In 2010, the radiation was likely the result of energy injection into the emitting regions with an aligned magnetic field. In contrast, in 2011 the superposition of different emission regions may have contributed to the low degree of observed polarization. It also implies that high-energy electron which were not accelerated to ultra-relativistic velocities were injected in 2011.

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Study for relation between direction of relativistic jet and optical polarization angle with multi-wavelength observation

Blazars are thought to possess a relativistic jet that is pointing toward the direction of the Earth and the elect of relativistic beaming enhances its apparent brightness. They radiate in all wavebands from the radio to the gamma-ray bands via the synchrotron and the inverse Compton scattering process. Numerous observations are performed but the mechanism of variability, creation and composition of jets are still controversial. We performed multi-wavelength monitoring with optical polarization for 3C 66A, Mrk 421, CTA 102 and PMN J0948+0022 to investigate the mechanisms of variability and research the emission region in the relativistic jets. Consequently, an emergence of new emission component in flaring state is suggested in each object. The most significant aspect of these results is its wide range of sizes of emission regions from $10^{14}-10^{16}$ cm, which implies the model with a number of independent emission regions with variety sizes and randomly orientation. The "shock-in-jet" scenario can explain high PD and direction of PA in each objects. It might reflect the common mechanism of flares in the relativistic jets.

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Discovery of Dramatic Optical Variability in SDSS J1100+4421: A Peculiar Radio-Loud Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 Galaxy?

We present our discovery of dramatic variability in SDSS J1100+4421 by the high-cadence transient survey Kiso Supernova Survey (KISS). The source brightened in the optical by at least a factor of three within about half a day. Spectroscopic observations suggest that this object is likely a narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy (NLS1) at z=0.840, however with unusually strong narrow emission lines. The estimated black hole mass of ~ 10^7 Msun implies bolometric nuclear luminosity close to the Eddington limit. SDSS J1100+4421 is also extremely radio-loud, with a radio loudness parameter of R ~ 4 x 10^2 - 3 x 10^3, which implies the presence of relativistic jets. Rapid and large-amplitude optical variability of the target, reminiscent of that found in a few radio- and gamma-ray loud NLS1s, is therefore produced most likely in a blazar-like core. The 1.4 GHz radio image of the source shows an extended structure with a linear size of about 100 kpc. If SDSS J1100+4421 is a genuine NLS1, as suggested here, this radio structure would then be the largest ever discovered in this type of active galaxies.

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Variable optical polarization during high state in gamma-ray loud narrow line Seyfert 1 galaxy 1H 0323+342

We present results of optical polarimetric and multi-band photometric observations for gamma-ray loud narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy 1H 0323+342. This object has been monitored by 1.5 m Kanata telescope since 2012 September but following a gamma-ray flux enhancement detected by Fermi-LAT on MJD 56483 (2013 July 10) dense follow-up was performed by ten 0.5-2.0 m telescopes in Japan over one week. The 2-year R_C-band light curve showed clear brightening corresponding to the gamma-ray flux increase and then decayed gradually. The high state as a whole lasted for ~20 days, during which we clearly detected optical polarization from this object. The polarization degree (PD) of the source increased from 0-1% in quiescence to ~3% at maximum and then declined to the quiescent level, with the duration of the enhancement of less than 10 days. The moderate PD around the peak allowed us to precisely measure the daily polarization angle (PA). As a result, we found that the daily PAs were almost constant and aligned to the jet axis, suggesting that the magnetic field direction at the emission region is transverse to the jet. This implies either a presence of helical/toroidal magnetic field or transverse magnetic field compressed by shock(s). We also found small-amplitude intra-night variability during the 2-hour continuous exposure on a single night. We discuss these findings based on the turbulent multi-zone model recently advocated by Marscher (2014). Optical to ultraviolet (UV) spectrum showed a rising shape in the higher frequency and the UV magnitude measured by Swift/UVOT was steady even during the flaring state, suggesting that thermal emission from accretion disk is dominant in that band.

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Upper Bound on the First Star Formation History

Our understanding of the nature of the extragalactic background light (EBL) has improved with the recent development of gamma-ray observation techniques. An open subject in the context of the EBL is the reionization epoch, which is an important probe of the formation history of first stars, the so-called Population III (Pop III) stars. Although the mechanisms for the formation of Pop III stars are rather well understood on theoretical grounds, their formation history is still veiled in mystery because of their faintness. To shed light into this matter, we study jointly the gamma-ray opacity of distant objects and the reionization constraints from studies of intergalactic gas. By combining these studies, we obtain a sensitive upper bound on the Pop III star formation rate density as $\dotρ_{*}(z)<0.01[(1+z)/{(1+7.0)}]^{3.4}({f_{\rm esc}}/{0.2})^{-1}({C}/{3.0})\ {\rm M}_{\odot} {\rm yr}^{-1}\ {\rm Mpc}^{-3}$ at $z\ge7$, where $f_{\rm esc}$ and $C$ are the escape fraction of ionizing photons from galaxies and the clumping factor of the intergalactic hydrogen gas. This limit is a $\sim10$ times tighter constraint compared with previous studies that take into account gamma-ray opacity constraints only. Even if we do not include the current gamma-ray constraints, the results do not change. This is because the detected gamma-ray sources are still at $z\le4.35$ where the reionization has already finished.

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Short-Term Variability of X-rays from Accreting Neutron Star Vela X-1: II. Monte-Carlo Modeling

We develop a Monte Carlo Comptonization model for the X-ray spectrum of accretion-powered pulsars. Simple, spherical, thermal Comptonization models give harder spectra for higher optical depth, while the observational data from Vela X-1 show that the spectra are harder at higher luminosity. This suggests a physical interpretation where the optical depth of the accreting plasma increases with mass accretion rate. We develop a detailed Monte-Carlo model of the accretion flow, including the effects of the strong magnetic field ($\sim 10^{12}$ G) both in geometrically constraining the flow into an accretion column, and in reducing the cross section. We treat bulk-motion Comptonization of the infalling material as well as thermal Comptonization. These model spectra can match the observed broad-band {\it Suzaku} data from Vela X-1 over a wide range of mass accretion rates. The model can also explain the so-called "low state", in which the uminosity decreases by an order of magnitude. Here, thermal Comptonization should be negligible, so the spectrum instead is dominated by bulk-motion Comptonization.

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