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Absorption of gamma rays in intense X-ray sources

Abstract

IT has been proposed that intense X-ray sources could also be candidates for γ-ray sources, but there has been no experimental evidence. This can mean either that no γ rays are produced or that they are absorbed before they leave the source. Under certain assumptions about the geometry of the X-ray source one can show that the γ rays are strongly absorbed as a result of pair production with the X-ray photons. On the other hand, measurements on hard photons above the X-ray band may allow us to derive information on accretion sources by virtue of their absorption mechanism.

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HERTERICH, K. Absorption of gamma rays in intense X-ray sources. Nature 250, 311–313 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/250311a0

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