Fueling lobes of radio galaxies: Statistical particle acceleration and the extragalactic γ-ray background

Abstract

The recent discovery of the γ-ray emission from the lobes of the closest radio galaxy Centaurus A by Fermi implies the presence of high-energy electrons at least up to γ 105-106. These high-energy electrons are required to interpret the observed γ-ray radiation in terms of inverse Compton emission off the cosmic microwave background (IC/CMB), the widely accepted scenario to describe the X-ray emission of radio galaxy lobes. In this Letter, we consider the giant radio lobes of FRII radio galaxies showing that it is possible to maintain electrons at energies γ 105-106, assuming an acceleration scenario (driven by turbulent magnetic fields) that compensates radiative losses. In addition, we consider the contribution to the diffuse extragalactic γ-ray background due to the IC/CMB emission of FRIIs' lobes, showing its relevance in the keV to MeV energy range. © 2011. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.