Transition radiation in dusty novae with non-thermal radio emission

TL;DR

This paper investigates how transition radiation from relativistic electrons interacting with dust in dusty novae can influence ionization and heating, potentially affecting observations and understanding of such environments.

Contribution

It introduces the concept that transition radiation in dusty novae may impact ionization and grain heating, a novel consideration in the study of non-thermal radio emissions.

Findings

Transition radiation occurs in dusty novae with non-thermal radio emission.

Transition radiation may influence ionization balance and grain heating.

Potential relevance to other dusty astrophysical environments.

Abstract

Transition radiation is produced when a relativistic charged particle enters or leaves a solid medium. The electrons that produce synchrotron radiation may interact with the dust in circumstellar environments, leading to the emission of transition radiation. We explore the production of transition radiation in dusty novae that also display synchrotron radiation emission. Transition radiation is emitted in the hard ultra-violet/X-ray range. We suggest that, even when the transition radiation is not itself directly observable, it may have a role in determining the ionisation balance of, and grain heating in, nova ejecta. Furthermore, it may be important in other dusty environments (such as supernova remnants) with non-thermal radio emission.