Inverse Compton emission from a cosmic-ray precursor in RX J1713.7-3946

Abstract

Recently, the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) reported two new interesting results for a gamma-ray emitting supernova remnant, RX J1713.7-3946 (G347.3-0.5). The first result is the establishment of a broken power-law spectrum of GeV-TeV gamma-rays. The other is a more extended gamma-ray spatial profile than the one in the X-ray band. In this paper, we show both of these results can be explained by inverse Compton emission from accelerated electrons. If the maximum energy of electrons being accelerated decreases with time, the broken power-law spectrum can be generated by accumulation. Furthermore, the extended component of gamma-ray profile can be interpreted as a CR precursor of currently accelerated electrons.

6 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in JHEAp