On the gamma-ray emission from Markarian 421

Abstract

Gamma radiation in various energy ranges from 50 MeV to 10 GeV and even up to TeV has been detected from Markarian 421. We suggest that relativistic neutrons with energy approximately 1017 eV are expected to be produced in the acceleration region via the process of photopion production. We predict that ultra-high energy (approximately PeV) gamma rays will be emitted from Mkn 421 resulting from the decay of neutral pions which are produced by collisions between the ultra-high energy neutrons and blobs of material ejected from the accretion disk of the supermassive blackhole. At the same time, the decay of charged pions can eventually decay to produce electrons and positrons, which radiate synchrotron radiation in various energy ranges from TeV to 50 MeV. Comparison with the observed data and model results and the implications to other active galactic nuclei (AGNs) are discussed in the text.