Nonthermal Radiation Processes in X-ray Jets

Abstract

Analytic approximations for synchrotron, synchrotron self-Compton (SSC), and external Compton (EC) processes are used to constrain model parameters for knot and hot-spot emission in extended jets of radio galaxies. Equipartition formulas are derived that relate the Doppler factor $\delta$ and comoving magnetic field $B$ assuming a nonthermal synchrotron origin of the radio emission, and synchrotron, SSC and EC origins of the X-ray emission. Expressions are also derived for $\delta$ and $B$ that minimize the total jet powers of the emitting region in synchrotron, SSC and EC models for the X-ray emission. The results are applied to knot WK7.8 of PKS 0637-752. Predictions to test two-component synchrotron and EC models are made for {\it Chandra} and {\it GLAST}.

Clarified this and earier treatment of Tavecchio et al. (2000); removed self-absorption section; 6 pages, 2 figures, ApJ Letters, in press, Aug. 10, 2004