Possible origin of the slow-diffusion region around Geminga

Abstract

ABSTRACT Geminga pulsar is surrounded by a multiTeV γ-ray halo radiated by the high-energy electrons and positrons accelerated by the central pulsar wind nebula (PWN). The angular profile of the γ-ray emission reported by High-Altitude Water Cherenkov Observatory indicates an anomalously slow diffusion for the cosmic-ray electrons and positrons in the halo region around Geminga. In the paper we study the possible mechanism for the origin of the slow diffusion. At first, we consider the self-generated Alfvén waves due to the streaming instability of the electrons and positrons released by Geminga. However, even considering a very optimistic scenario for the wave growth, we find this mechanism does not work to account for the extremely slow diffusion at the present day, if taking the proper motion of Geminga pulsar into account. The reason is straightforward as the PWN is too weak to generate enough high-energy electrons and positrons to stimulate strong turbulence at the late time. We then propose an assumption that the strong turbulence is generated by the shock wave of the parent supernova remnant (SNR) of Geminga. Geminga may still be inside the SNR, and we find that the SNR can provide enough energy to generate the slow-diffusion circumstance. The TeV haloes around PSR B0656+14, Vela X, and PSR J1826-1334 may also be explained under this assumption.