Constraints on the intergalactic magnetic field from gamma-ray observations of TeV blazars
Abstract
We discuss different approaches to infer the properties of the intergalactic magnetic field (IGMF) from gamma-ray observations of blazars. In particular, we investigate constraints on the IGMF strength and spacial distribution, resulting from studies of TeV blazars by imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes and the Fermi-LAT instrument. We demonstrate that the non-observation of GeV gamma-rays from powerful TeV blazars indicates that more than 60% of space is filled by magnetic fields with stength gtrsim 10-15 G, favoring the primordial IGMF origin.
- Publication:
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Journal of Physics Conference Series
- Pub Date:
- July 2012
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 2012JPhCS.375e2030K