Jet contributions to the broad-band spectrum of Cyg X-1 in the hard state

Abstract

We apply the jet model developed in the preceding paper of Zdziarski et al. to the hard-state emission spectra of Cyg X-1.We augment the model for the analytical treatment of the particle evolution beyond the energy dissipation region, and allow for various forms of the acceleration rate. We calculate the resulting electron and emission spectra as functions of the jet height, along with the emission spectra integrated over the outflow. The model accounts well for the observed radio, infrared and GeV fluxes of the source, although the available data do not provide unique constraints on the model free parameters. The contribution of the jet emission in the UV-X-ray range turns out to be in all the cases negligible compared to the radiative output of the accretion component. Nevertheless, we find out that it is possible to account for the observed flux of Cyg X-1 at MeV energies by synchrotron jet emission, in accord with the recent claims of the detection of strong linear polarization of the source in that range. However, this is possible only assuming a very efficient particle acceleration leading to the formation of flat electron spectra, and jet magnetic fields much above the equipartition level. © 2014 The Authors Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society.