Sensitivity of γ-ray telescopes for detection of magnetic fields in the intergalactic medium

A. Neronov and D. V. Semikoz
Phys. Rev. D 80, 123012 – Published 17 December 2009

Abstract

We explore potential of current and next-generation γ-ray telescopes for the detection of weak magnetic fields in the intergalactic medium. We demonstrate that using two complementary techniques, observation of extended emission around point sources and observation of time delays in γ-ray flares, one would be able to probe most of the cosmologically and astrophysically interesting part of the “magnetic field strength” vs “correlation length” parameter space. This implies that γ-ray observations with Fermi and ground-based Cherenkov telescopes will allow to (a) strongly constrain theories of the origin of magnetic fields in galaxies and galaxy clusters and (b) discover, constrain or rule out the existence of weak primordial magnetic field generated at different stages of evolution of the Early Universe.

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  • Received 20 October 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.80.123012

©2009 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

A. Neronov

  • ISDC Data Center for Astrophysics, Chemin d’Ecogia 16, 1290 Versoix, Switzerland and Geneva Observatory, 51 ch. des Maillettes, CH-1290 Sauverny, Switzerland

D. V. Semikoz

  • APC, 10 rue Alice Domon et Leonie Duquet, F-75205 Paris Cedex 13, France and Institute for Nuclear Research RAS, 60th October Anniversary prosp. 7a, Moscow, 117312, Russia

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Vol. 80, Iss. 12 — 15 December 2009

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