The relativistic jet of Cygnus X-3 in gamma rays

TL;DR

This paper investigates gamma-ray emission from Cygnus X-3, linking it to jet activity and orbital modulation, and models the jet orientation and electron acceleration mechanisms.

Contribution

It provides a detailed model of gamma-ray modulation linked to jet inclination and electron acceleration sites, suggesting electrons are energized outside the binary system.

Findings

Gamma-ray flux is modulated with the orbital period.

Jet inclination affects gamma-ray modulation shape.

Electrons are accelerated outside the binary system, likely at jet recollimation shocks.

Abstract

High energy gamma-rays have been detected from Cygnus X-3, a system composed of a Wolf-Rayet star and a black hole or neutron star. The gamma-ray emission is linked to the radio emission from the jet launched in the system. The flux is modulated with the 4.8 hr orbital period, as expected if high energy electrons are upscattering photons emitted by the Wolf-Rayet star to gamma-ray energies. This modulation is computed assuming that high energy electrons are located at some distance along a relativistic jet of arbitrary orientation. Modeling shows that the jet must be inclined and that the gamma ray emitting electrons cannot be located within the system. This is consistent with the idea that the electrons gain energy where the jet is recollimated by the stellar wind pressure and forms a shock. Jet precession should strongly affect the gamma-ray modulation shape at different epochs. The power in non-thermal electrons represents a small fraction of the Eddington luminosity only if the inclination is low i.e. if the compact object is a black hole.