Compton scattering of blackbody photons by relativistic electrons

TL;DR

This paper derives simple analytical formulas for Compton scattering rates of blackbody photons by relativistic electrons, applicable to various astrophysical environments.

Contribution

It provides new, accurate analytical expressions for anisotropic and isotropic Compton scattering of blackbody photons by relativistic electrons.

Findings

Formulas applicable to stellar and CMB photons

Useful for modeling microquasars and supernova remnants

Enhances understanding of high-energy astrophysical processes

Abstract

We present simple and accurate analytical formulae for the rates of Compton scattering by relativistic electrons integrated over the energy distribution of blackbody seed photons. Both anisotropic scattering, in which blackbody photons arriving from one direction are scattered by an anisotropic electron distribution into another direction, and scattering of isotropic seed photons are considered. Compton scattering by relativistic electrons off blackbody photons from either stars or CMB takes place, in particular, in microquasars, colliding-wind binaries, supernova remnants, interstellar medium, and the vicinity of the Sun.