Modelling of the multitransition periodic flaring in G9.62+0.20E

Abstract

ABSTRACT We present detailed modelling of periodic flaring events in the 6.7 GHz and 12.2 GHz methanol lines as well as the OH 1665 MHz and 1667 MHz transitions observed in the G9.62+0.20E star-forming region. Our analysis is performed within the framework of the one-dimensional Maxwell–Bloch equations, which intrinsically cover the complementary quasi-steady state maser and transient superradiance regimes. We find that the variations in flaring time-scales measured for the different species/transitions, and sometimes even for a single spectral line, are manifestations of and are best modelled with Dicke’s superradiance, which naturally accounts for a modulation in the duration of flares through corresponding changes in the inversion pump. In particular, it can explain the peculiar behaviour observed for some features, such as the previously published result for the OH 1667 MHz transition at vlsr = +1.7 km s−1 as well as the methanol 6.7 GHz line at vlsr = −1.8 km s−1, through a partial quenching of the population inversion during flaring events.