Probing the non-thermal emission in the Perseus cluster with the JVLA

Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union (2020) 44-52

Authors:

M Gendron-Marsolais, J Hlavacek-Larrondo, RJ Van Weeren, T Clarke, AC Fabian, HT Intema, GB Taylor, KM Blundell, JS Sanders

Abstract:

© International Astronomical Union 2020. We present deep low radio frequency (230-470 MHz) observations from the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array of the Perseus cluster, probing the non-thermal emission from the old particle population of the AGN outflows. Our observations of this nearby relaxed cool core cluster have revealed a multitude of new structures associated with the mini-halo, extending to hundreds of kpc in size. Its irregular morphology seems to have been influenced both by the AGN activity and by the sloshing motion of the cluster' gas. In addition, it has a filamentary structure similar to that seen in radio relics found in merging clusters. These results illustrate the high-quality images that can be obtained with the new JVLA at low radio-frequencies.

Cosmic ray acceleration by shocks: spectral steepening due to turbulent magnetic field amplification

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Oxford University Press 488*:2 (2019) 2466-2472

Authors:

A Bell, James Matthews, K Blundell

Abstract:

We show that the energy required to turbulently amplify magnetic field during cosmic ray (CR) acceleration by shocks extracts energy from the CR and steepens the CR energy spectrum.

Cosmic ray acceleration by shocks: spectral steepening due to turbulent magnetic field amplification

(2019)

Authors:

Anthony Bell, James Matthews, Katherine Blundell

Cosmic ray acceleration in hydromagnetic flux tubes

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Oxford University Press 487:4 (2019) 4571-4579

Authors:

AR Bell, James Matthews, Katherine M Blundell, AT Araudo

Abstract:

We find that hydromagnetic flux tubes in back-flows in the lobes of radio galaxies offer a suitable environment for the acceleration of cosmic rays (CR) to ultra-high energies. We show that CR can reach the Hillas (1984) energy even if the magnetized turbulence in the flux tube is not sufficiently strong for Bohm diffusion to apply. First-order Fermi acceleration by successive weak shocks in a hydromagnetic flux tube is shown to be equivalent to second-order Fermi acceleration by strong turbulence.

Cosmic Ray Acceleration in Hydromagnetic Flux Tubes

(2019)

Authors:

Anthony Bell, James Matthews, Katherine Blundell, Anabella Araudo