Searching for TeV Gamma-ray Emission from Binary Systems with HAWC

TL;DR

This study utilizes two years of HAWC data to search for TeV gamma-ray emissions from known and candidate binary systems, aiming to understand particle acceleration and cosmic ray origins.

Contribution

It is the first comprehensive search for TeV gamma-ray emission from multiple binary systems using HAWC's wide field of view and high uptime.

Findings

No significant TeV emission detected from the studied binaries.

Provided flux estimates and upper limits for the sources.

Demonstrated HAWC's capability for transient source monitoring.

Abstract

Compact binary systems can provide us with unique information on astrophysical particle acceleration and cosmic ray production. However, only five binary systems have ever been observed in TeV $\gamma$ rays. The High Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) Observatory has high uptime (duty cycle $>95\%$) and a wide field of view (2 sr), making it well-suited for observing transient sources such as binaries. Using two years of data from HAWC, we have searched for TeV emission from three known TeV binary systems in the field of view and twenty-eight TeV binary candidates. We have searched the HAWC data for evidence of orbital modulation or flares from these objects, and report estimates of their $\gamma$-ray flux.