| |
 |
| Paper: |
Models of the Radio Emission from Colliding-Wind Binaries |
| Volume: |
367, Massive Stars in Interactive Binaries |
| Page: |
225 |
| Authors: |
Pittard, J.M.; Dougherty, S.M.; Coker, R.F. |
| Abstract: |
The collision of the hypersonic winds in early-type binaries is a natural site for particle acceleration via the first-order Fermi mechanism. Nonthermal radio emission is detected in many such systems, and is spatially resolved in several nearby binaries. These objects allow us to probe the nature of particle acceleration at significantly higher mass, radiation, and magnetic field energy densities than similar observations of supernova remnants allow. We present recently developed theoretical models of the radio emission from colliding-wind binaries (CWBs). Comparison with observations reveals that of order 1 per cent of the total shock energy is used to accelerate electrons to relativistic energies in WR147. Such an unexpectedly high value has consequences for the thermal X-ray emission from CWBs. Our latest work incorporates inverse-Compton cooling of the relativistic electrons, and should yield deeper insight into the mechanisms responsible for the observed radio emission in WR140. |
|
|
|
|
|
