The spectral energy distribution of compact jets powered by internal shocks

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new simulation code and semi-analytical model to study how internal shocks in compact jets produce their spectral energy distribution, emphasizing the role of velocity fluctuation spectra.

Contribution

The paper develops a novel code and formalism to predict jet SEDs based on the PSD of velocity fluctuations, linking variability properties to observed spectra.

Findings

Flat SEDs arise from flicker noise-like velocity fluctuations.

The model reproduces wavelength-dependent variability seen in observations.

Spectral shapes are sensitive to the PSD of Lorentz factor fluctuations.

Abstract

Internal shocks caused by fluctuations of the outflow velocity are likely to power the radio to IR emission of the compact jets of X-ray binaries. The dynamics of internal shocks and the resulting spectral energy distribution (SED) of the jet are very sensitive to the time-scales and amplitudes of the velocity fluctuations injected at the base of the jet. I present a new code designed to simulate the synchrotron emission of a compact jet powered by internal shocks. I also develop a semi-analytical formalism allowing one to estimate the observed SED of the jet as a function of the Power Spectral Density (PSD) of the assumed fluctuations of the Lorentz factor. I discuss the cases of a sine modulation of the Lorentz factor and Lorentz factor fluctuations with a power-law PSD shape. Independently of the details of the model, the observed nearly flat SEDs are obtained for PSDs of Lorentz factor fluctuations that are close to a flicker noise spectrum (i.e. P(f)~1/f). The model also presents a strong wavelength dependent variability that is similar to that observed in these sources.