Related papers: First LOFAR results on galaxy clusters
The recent evidences of the presence of magnetic fields and relativistic particles in galaxy clusters are reviewed. The existence of microG-level magnetic fields in cluster atmospheres appears well established from the detection of diffuse…
Diffuse synchrotron emission in the form of radio halos and radio relics probe the existence of relativistic electrons and magnetic fields in galaxy clusters. These nonthermal components are generated from the dissipation of kinetic energy…
Non-thermal properties of galaxy clusters have been studied with detailed and deep radio images in comparison with X-ray data. While much progress has been made, most of the studied clusters are at a relatively low redshift (z < 0.3). We…
Diffuse cluster-scale synchrotron radio emission is discovered in an increasing number of galaxy clusters in the form of radio halos (RHs), probing the presence of relativistic electrons and magnetic fields in the intra-cluster medium. The…
Enhanced inverse Compton (IC) losses at high redshift steepen diffuse radio spectra in galaxy clusters, making low-frequency (~100 MHz) observations favorable. However, low-frequency studies often lack the resolution needed to locate…
We present LOFAR observations of one of the most spectacular objects in the radio sky: Abell 2255. This is a nearby ($z = 0.0806$) merging galaxy cluster hosting one of the first radio halos ever detected in the intra-cluster medium (ICM).…
We investigate the number and type of pulsars that will be discovered with the low-frequency radio telescope LOFAR. We consider different search strategies for the Galaxy, for globular clusters and for other galaxies. We show that a 25-day…
Radio halos are synchrotron diffuse sources at the centre of a fraction of galaxy clusters. The study of large samples of clusters with adequate radio and X-ray data is necessary to investigate the origin of radio halos and their connection…
A fraction of galaxy clusters harbor diffuse radio sources known as radio halos. The currently adopted scenario for their formation is based on second-order Fermi re-acceleration of seed electrons that is driven by merger-driven turbulence…
Relativistic electrons and magnetic fields permeate the intra-cluster medium (ICM) and manifest themselves as diffuse sources of synchrotron emission observable at radio wavelengths, namely radio halos and radio relics. Although there is…
Some galaxy clusters contain non-thermal synchrotron emitting plasma permeating the intracluster medium (ICM). The spectral properties of this radio emission are not well characterized at decameter wavelengths ({\nu} < 30 MHz), primarily…
The LOw FRequency ARray - LOFAR is a new radio telescope that is moving the science of radio pulsars and transients into a new phase. Its design places emphasis on digital hardware and flexible software instead of mechanical solutions.…
The LOw Frequency ARray, LOFAR, will have the sensitivity, bandwidth, frequency range and processing power to revolutionise low-frequency pulsar studies. We present results of simulations that indicate that a LOFAR survey will find…
We review observations of extended regions of radio emission in clusters; these include diffuse emission in `relics', and the large central regions commonly referred to as `halos'. The spectral observations, as well as Faraday rotation…
We present the results from the low-frequency (40--78 MHz) extension of the first LOFAR pulsar census of non-recycled pulsars. We have used the Low-Band Antennas of the LOFAR core stations to observe 87 pulsars out of 158 that have been…
Diffuse cluster radio sources, in the form of radio halos and relics, reveal the presence of cosmic rays and magnetic fields in the intracluster medium (ICM). These cosmic rays are thought to be (re-)accelerated through ICM turbulence and…
In the present-day Universe, magnetic fields pervade galaxy clusters, with strengths of a few microGauss obtained from Faraday Rotation. Evidence for cluster magnetic fields is also provided by Megaparsec-scale radio emission, namely radio…
Radio observations of a few cool-core galaxy clusters have revealed the presence of diffuse emission on cluster scales, similar to what was found in merging clusters in the form of radio halos. These sources might suggest that a minor…
Recent multifrequency observations contribute to derive a comprehensive picture of the origin and evolution of relativistic particles in galaxy clusters. In this review I briefly discuss theoretical aspects and open problems of this…
Large-scale diffuse radio emission is observed in some clusters of galaxies. There is ample of evidence that the emission has its origin in synchrotron losses of relativistic electrons, accelerated in the course of clusters mergers. In a…