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Constraints on the jet Lorentz factor in superluminal very high energy γ-ray blazars

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Abstract

We show that it can be possible to obtain lower limits on the jet Lorentz factors in superluminal very high energy (VHE) γ-ray blazars (e.g. Mrk, 421) which are more restrict than that ones derived only from the observations of superluminal motion. To do that we need to define some parameters of the blazars (i.e. accretion disk luminosity, disk inner radius, or disk temperature at the inner radius) which can be fixed in some sources based on the optical-UV observations. Moreover the knowledge is required on: (a) the variability time scale of radiation emitted from the shock (blob) region; (b) the maximum energy of emitted γ-rays; (c) and the value of an apparent speed of the shock from measurements of superluminal motion in the source. Based on the available observations of Mrk 421 and QSO 1633+382 we put constraints on the jet Lorentz factor in these sources as a function of their disk inner radius.

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Bednarek, W. Constraints on the jet Lorentz factor in superluminal very high energy γ-ray blazars. Astrophys Space Sci 235, 297–304 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00644449

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00644449

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