Relativistic Outflow Drives Gamma-Ray Emission in 3C345

TL;DR

This study links gamma-ray and optical variability in quasar 3C345 to structural changes in its relativistic jet, suggesting gamma-ray emission originates from a large, ~23 parsec region within the jet, supporting the synchrotron self-Compton mechanism.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed connection between multi-wavelength variability and parsec-scale jet structure in 3C345, highlighting the emission region and mechanisms involved.

Findings

Gamma-ray and optical variations are correlated with jet structural changes.

The gamma-ray emission region extends approximately 23 parsecs.

The jet's brightness temperature profile shows a break at ~0.3 mas.

Abstract

Aims: 3C345 was recently identified as a gamma-ray emitter, based on the first 20 months of Fermi-LAT data and optical monitoring. In this paper, a connection between the gamma-ray and optical variability of 3C345 and properties of its parsec-scale radio emission is investigated. Methods: The Fermi-LAT data of 3C345, covering an energy range of 0.1-300 GeV, were combined with 32 Very Long Baseline Array observations of the object made at 43.2 GHz in the period of January 2008 - March 2010. Results: The VLBA data reveal morphology and kinematics of the flow on scales of up to ~5 milliarcseconds (mas; deprojected linear distances of 380 parsecs). The brightness temperature, T_b(r), measured along the jet first decreases with distance proportional to r^-(0.95 +/-0.69) and later exhibits a break at ~0.3 mas, with T_b(r) proportional to r^-(4.11 +/-0.85) at larger separations. Variations of the gamma-ray, optical and parsec-scale radio emission show a similar long-term trend persistent during the entire VLBA monitoring period. The gamma-ray and optical variations on shorter time scales are related to structural changes in the jet on scales of ~0.3 mas (~23 parsecs, deprojected), with the gamma-ray and optical flares possibly related to the evolution of four distinct superluminal components identified in the flow. Conclusions: The observations indicate that both the quiescent and flaring components of the gamma-ray emission are produced in a region of the jet of ~23 pc in extent. This region may mark the Compton-loss dominated zone of the flow and its large extent may favor the synchrotron self-Compton mechanism for gamma-ray production in the relativistic jet of the quasar 3C345.