X-ray Spectral Analysis and Modeling of the TeV source HESS J1640-465

Powered by the rotational energy of a neutron star, studying pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe) is important for understanding the origin of the highest energy cosmic rays leptons in the Milky Way. HESS J1640-465, by virtue of being among the most luminous TeV sources in the galaxy, must accelerate a considerable number of leptons to PeV energies, and its association with  PSR J1640-4631 – the first pulsar to have a braking index > 3, the result of NuSTAR observations – suggest these particles are produced in its PWN.  To better understand the physical conditions under which these particles are generated, we will present new and updated measurements of the X-ray properties of the PWN associated with HESS J1640-465 in the soft (3-10 keV) and hard X-ray band (10-30 keV), derived primarily from NuSTAR observations. Using our results, we fit the broadband properties of our system using an evolutionary model of a PWN inside a SNR, which improves our understanding of the physical conditions under which these high energy particles are produced, allowing us to evaluate models for their acceleration.