Spectrum of flux for a synchrontron source

[randa177]

The spectrum of flux for a synchrontron source ( AGN for example) drops off at low frequencies. Is that a sensible situation? How comes??

 

[Astronuc]

I don't know if this helps - http://www.vlti.org/events/assets/1/proceedings/6.5_Tristram.pdf - http://www.vlti.org/events/assets/1/proceedings/6.5_Tristram.pdf

What does one mean by low frequency? IR, visible, X-ray as opposed to gamma-ray?

 

[tacman]

Yes, it is a sensible situation for the spectrum of flux for a synchrotron source to drop off at low frequencies. This is because the synchrotron emission is a type of non-thermal radiation that is produced by high-energy particles moving through a magnetic field. The emission is strongest at higher frequencies, where the particles are moving at faster speeds and therefore producing more intense radiation.

At lower frequencies, the particles are moving at slower speeds and producing less intense radiation. This results in a decrease in the flux of the synchrotron emission at these lower frequencies. Additionally, as the particles lose energy and slow down, they also emit less radiation, contributing to the drop-off in the flux at lower frequencies.

This phenomenon is also known as the synchrotron self-absorption effect, where the radiation emitted by the particles themselves can block the emission at lower frequencies. Overall, the drop-off in the flux at lower frequencies is a natural consequence of the physical processes involved in synchrotron emission and is a sensible situation.