Comparing 3C 120 jet emission at small and large scales

TL;DR

This study compares the physical conditions of the 3C 120 jet at small and large scales using multiwavelength data and modeling, revealing consistent jet power and insights into emission mechanisms during flares.

Contribution

It provides a detailed multiwavelength analysis and modeling of the 3C 120 jet at different scales, highlighting the jet's radiative efficiency and emission processes during flares.

Findings

Rapid gamma-ray variability observed in the inner jet.

Broadband emission consistent with SSC during flares.

Jet power remains consistent across scales, indicating low dissipation.

Abstract

Context. Important information on the evolution of the jet can be obtained by comparing the physical state of the plasma at its propagation through the broad-line region (where the jet is most likely formed) into the intergalactic medium, where it starts to significantly decelerate. Aims. We compare the constraints on the physical parameters in the innermost ($\leq$ pc) and outer ($\geq$ kpc) regions of the 3C 120 jet by means of a detailed multiwavelength analysis and theoretical modeling of their broadband spectra. Methods.The data collected by Fermi LAT, Swift and Chandra are analyzed together and the spectral energy distributions are modeled using a leptonic synchrotron and inverse Compton model, taking into account the seed photons originating inside and outside of the jet. The model parameters are estimated using the MCMC method. Results. The $\gamma$-ray flux from the inner jet of 3C 120 was characterized by rapid variation from MJD 56900 to MJD 57300. Two strong flares were observed on April 24, 2015 when, within 19.0 minutes and 3.15 hours the flux was as high as $(7.46\pm1.56)\times10^{-6}photon\:cm^{-2}\:s^{-1}$ and $(4.71\pm0.92)\times10^{-6}photon\:cm^{-2}\:s^{-1}$ respectively. The broadband emission in the quiet and flaring states can be described as SSC emission while IC scattering of dusty torus photons cannot be excluded for the flaring states. The X-ray emission from the knots can be well reproduced by IC scattering of CMB photons only if the jet is highly relativistic (since even when $\delta=10$ still $U_{\rm e}/U_B\geq80$). These extreme requirements can be somewhat softened assuming the X-rays are from the synchrotron emission of a second population of very-high-energy electrons. Conclusions. We found that the jet power estimated at two scales is consistent, suggesting that the jet does not suffer severe dissipation, it simply becomes radiatively inefficient.