$\gamma$-Cascade: A Simple Program to Compute Cosmological Gamma-Ray Propagation

TL;DR

The paper introduces $\\gamma$-Cascade, a Mathematica package that semi-analytically models electromagnetic cascades in gamma-ray astrophysics, enabling calculation of observed fluxes from sources.

Contribution

It presents a new, accessible tool for simulating gamma-ray propagation and cascades, improving ease of use and analytical capabilities in astrophysical modeling.

Findings

Provides accurate semi-analytical calculations of gamma-ray cascades.

Enables flux predictions from point sources and source distributions.

Offers a publicly available, user-friendly Mathematica package.

Abstract

Modeling electromagnetic cascades during gamma-ray transport is important in many applications within astrophysics. This document introduces $\gamma$-Cascade, a publicly available Mathematica package which allows users to calculate observed gamma-ray fluxes from point sources as well as from a distribution of sources. $\gamma$-Cascade semi-analytically computes the effects of electromagnetic interactions during gamma-ray transport.