Propagation of Cosmic-Ray Primary and Secondary Electrons in Dense Interstellar Clouds, and Implications for Gamma-Ray Production
Abstract
The movement of primary and secondary electrons into and out of dense molecular clouds is inhibited by resonant Alfven waves generated by cosmic-ray nuclei and by the cosmic-ray electrons themselves. The theory described in an earlier paper is extended to the multi-species case, including the generation of secondary electrons within the clouds. The waves cause the electron density within a cloud to diminish, and this causes a corresponding reduction in the expected flux of bremsstrahlung gamma rays from clouds. The reduction for various values of cloud thickness and external cosmic-ray intensity is given.
- Publication:
-
Recent Advances in Gamma-Ray Astronomy
- Pub Date:
- July 1977
- Bibcode:
- 1977ESASP.124..147S
- Keywords:
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- Cosmic Rays;
- Electron Trajectories;
- Gamma Rays;
- Interstellar Gas;
- Electron Density (Concentration);
- Magnetohydrodynamic Waves;
- Molecular Gases;
- Space Radiation