Decomposing blazar spectra into lepto-hadronic emission components

TL;DR

This paper models blazar spectra with lepto-hadronic components, linking spectral features to physical parameters, and emphasizes the need for time-resolved and high-statistics neutrino data for validation.

Contribution

It introduces a self-consistent model of blazar emission incorporating relativistic acceleration and cooling zones, advancing understanding of neutrino production mechanisms.

Findings

Spectral energy distribution features can be explained by the model.

Time-resolved spectral measurements are essential for testing the model.

High-statistics neutrino data are needed to distinguish emission components.

Abstract

Recently reported coincidences between high-energy neutrino events and major blazar outbursts reinforce the relevance of lepto-hadronic emission models for blazars. We study the influence of physical parameters on the neutrino output modeling blazar spectral energy distributions self-consistently assuming a relativistically propagating acceleration zone surrounded by a larger cooling zone. We find that the gross features of the spectral energy distribution can readily be explained with the model. A rigorous test requires time-resolved measurements of blazar spectral energy distributions during an outburst and high-statistics neutrino measurements to discriminate the leptonic and hadronic emission components.