Unveiling the particle acceleration regions in optical synchrotron emitting hotspots
Abstract
Hotspots are bright and compact regions that are usually observed at the edge of powerful radio galaxies. Although they mainly radiate in the radio band, it has been established that many of them emit up to X-rays. The discovery of hotspots with diffuse optical and likely X-ray synchrotron emission requires a revision of the standard scenario of particle accelerated by a single strong shock generated at the jet termination. Two models have been proposed to explain the extended emission: multiple, broadly distributed transient shock structures likely produced by a jet dithering, or efficient Fermi-II acceleration mechanisms driven by turbulence. In this contribution I will present results on full-polarization JVLA and ALMA observations of a sample of low-power hotspots and I will discuss the magnetic field structure and particle acceleration mechanisms responsible for their multi-band emission, from radio to X-rays, making also use of VLT and Chandra data.
- Publication:
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43rd COSPAR Scientific Assembly. Held 28 January - 4 February
- Pub Date:
- January 2021
- Bibcode:
- 2021cosp...43E1444O