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TeV Gamma–Ray Absorption and the Intergalactic Infrared Background

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 May 2016

F. W. Stecker*
Affiliation:
Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA

Abstract

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In this paper, I will take a synoptic approach to determining the intergalactic infrared radiation field (IIRF). This approach draws on both the multi-TeV γ-ray observations and the infrared background observations and relates them via the semi-empirical modelling method of Malkan & Stecker. I discuss the evidence for an intergalactic infrared background obtained by an analysis of the HEGRA observations of the high energy γ-ray spectrum of Mrk 501 and from constraints from Mrk 421 deduced from the Whipple air Cherenkov telescope results. I will show that this evidence is in accord with the predictions made by Malkan & Stecker (1998) for the intergalactic infrared spectral energy distribution produced by galaxies. The Malkan-Stecker predictions are also in excellent agreement with mid-infrared galaxy counts. However, there may be potential problems relating these predictions with the results of the analysis of COBE–DIRBE far infrared data. The γ-ray and COBE–DIRBE observations may also need to be reconciled. I will discuss possible ways to resolve this situation including a partial nullification of the γ-ray absorption process which can hypothetically occur if Lorentz invariance is broken.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Astronomical Society of the Pacific 2001 

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