Evidence of a hadronic origin for the TeV source J1834-087

Abstract

We report on the discovery of compact, narrow OH line emission from the hydroxyl molecule at 1720 MHz toward the extended TeV source J1834-087. The origin of this high energy emission is unknown; it could be powered by one or more candidate neutron stars (leptonic) or by cosmic rays interacting with dense gas (hadronic). The OH emission is detected near the center of J1834-087, coincident with the radio continuum of the supernova remnant W41, and the radial velocity of the line is the same velocity as a giant molecular cloud along the line of sight. We argue that the OH is maser emission stimulated by the interaction of the W41 shock with the molecular cloud. The known correlation between γ-ray bright supernova remnants and OH masers favors a hadronic interpretation for this high energy emission. © 2013. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.