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Model-independent requirements for the source of positrons in the galactic centre

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Abstract

Model-independent requirements for the positron source in the galactic centre are formulated. From the known physical processes of positron production the most probable seems to be the e + − e − pair production as a result of photon-photon collisions. When certain conditions are satisfied, the efficiency of positron creation due to this mechanism can reach values ≥ 10%, which is comparable with the observed ratio of the annihilation line photon luminosity to the continuum one at E γ > 511 keV. Such a situation can be realized: (i) in a thermal pair-dominated mildly relativistic plasma, and (ii) on the development of a nonthermal electromagnetic cascade, initiated by relativistic particles in the field of ambient X-rays. Future gamma-ray observations at ultrahigh energies can be crucial to the choice of the model.

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  1. Yerevan Physics Institute, Markarian st. 2, 375036, Yerevan, Armenia, U.S.S.R.

    F. A. Aharonian

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  1. F. A. Aharonian
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Aharonian, F.A. Model-independent requirements for the source of positrons in the galactic centre. Space Sci Rev 49, 55–60 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00173742

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00173742

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