On the Very-High-Energy Gamma Ray Spectra from Typical Supernovae Remnants
Abstract
Description
Recently measured VHE gamma ray spectra from supernovae remnants (SNRs) are best fit by power laws with an exponential cutoff. But this feature does not occur at the `knee-equivalent' energy at which VHE gamma ray spectra are expected to reflect the `knee' in the otherwise featureless cosmic ray spectrum. In this article, the VHE gamma ray feature is explained as a consequence of a recently deduced quantum effect. The effect distinguishes `trajectory energy' from `particle state energy' and requires that the particle state energy depends strongly on gravitational potential at very high energies. Based on this effect and the observed CR spectrum, a tight two-parameter fit is obtained to the combined VHE gamma ray spectra of SNRs RX J1713.7-3946 and RX J0852.0-4622 and the Galactic Center ridge.
30 pages, 7 figures, 4 tables, 1 problem set. Equations and conclusions unchanged in Version 2. Thanks to the referee and a reader, Version 2 has added discussions of (i) the reference frame, (ii) why the Galaxy doesn't contribute, (iii) how electrons can behave otherwise, (iv) why photons can be included. Typos, minor rewording, revised problem set
30 pages, 7 figures, 4 tables, 1 problem set. Equations and conclusions unchanged in Version 2. Thanks to the referee and a reader, Version 2 has added discussions of (i) the reference frame, (ii) why the Galaxy doesn't contribute, (iii) how electrons can behave otherwise, (iv) why photons can be included. Typos, minor rewording, revised problem set