Particle Acceleration in the Disk-Halo System

Abstract

The recent observations of the nonthermal properties of the halo of our Galaxy at radio and γ-ray wavelengths are summarized. Radio and γ-ray data show a similar spectral flattening with Galactic height towards the anticenter direction, which is interpreted as a cosmic-ray effect. Several theoretical explanations for the flattening of the energy spectra of the radiating cosmic-ray electrons (in the radio) and nucleons (in γ-rays) are reviewed including propagation of cosmic rays in an accelerating Galactic wind and the presence of cosmic-ray sources with flat energy spectra in the halo.