http://arxiv.org/abs/1506.05807
Radio observations at multiple frequencies have detected a significant isotropic emission component between 22 MHz and 10 GHz, commonly termed the ARCADE-2 Excess. The origin of this radio emission is unknown, as the intensity, spectrum and isotropy of the signal are difficult to model with either traditional astrophysical mechanisms or novel physics such as dark matter annihilation. We posit a new model capable of explaining the key components of the excess radio emission. Specifically, we show that the re-acceleration of non-thermal electrons via turbulent shocks in merging galaxy clusters are capable of explaining the intensity, spectrum, and isotropy of the ARCADE-2 data. We examine the parameter spaces of cluster re-acceleration, magnetic field, and merger rate, finding that the radio excess can be reproduced assuming reasonable assumptions for each. We additionally show that this model is compatible with existing observations of the Coma cluster. Finally, we point out that future observations will definitively confirm or rule-out the contribution of cluster mergers to the isotropic radio background.
K. Fang and T. Linden
Mon, 22 Jun 15
25/41
Comments: 11 pages, 7 figures
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