Young radio sources: a radio-gamma perspective

TL;DR

This paper explores the early evolutionary stages of powerful radio sources, specifically compact symmetric objects, analyzing their radio and gamma-ray emissions to understand their growth and the influence of the host galaxy environment.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of the radio and gamma-ray properties of young radio sources, highlighting the mechanisms affecting their evolution and emission.

Findings

Compact symmetric objects are young, small radio sources with peaked spectra.

Radio emission evolves due to adiabatic, radiative, and inverse Compton losses.

The environment influences the growth and emission properties of young radio sources.

Abstract

The evolutionary stage of a powerful radio source originated by an AGN is related to its linear size. In this context, compact symmetric objects (CSOs), which are powerful and intrinsically small (< 1 kpc) radio sources with a convex synchrotron radio spectrum that peaks around the GHz regime, should represent a young stage in the individual radio source life. Their radio jets expand within the dense and inhomogeneous interstellar medium of the host galaxy, which may influence the source growth. The radio emission is expected to evolve as a consequence of adiabatic expansion and radiative and inverse Compton losses. The role played by the different mechanisms in the radio and gamma regimes is discussed.