The radio emission from radiative filaments of Cygnus Loop

Abstract

The Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) Cygnus Loop emerges as an ideal laboratory for analyzing the different radiation mechanisms, as well as the particle acceleration mechanisms at different types of shocks. In order to determine radio spectral indices of non-radiative and radiative filaments in Cygnus Loop, we observed previously optically analyzed filaments with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA). At 1 and 5 GHz, we detected only radiative filaments in the field of view. Non-radiative optical filaments are also present, but were not detected in radio. Contrary to the expected non-thermal spectral slopes characteristic of SNRs, we instead observed spectral slopes characteristic of the thermal radiation mechanism from the radiative filaments in Cygnus Loop. These evolutionary older parts of Cygnus Loop radiate at radio frequencies predominantly via the thermal bremsstrahlung mechanism, and in that sense their emission more closely resembles the radio emission of HII regions rather than the radio emission of SNRs.