Chandra X-ray study of the RCW 86 southwestern region

Our recent paper entitled “Particle acceleration controlled by ambient density in the southwestern rim of RCW 86” has been accepted for publication in ApJ (arXiv link). The southwestern region of the supernova remnant RCW 86 is very suitable for studying how acceleration conditions are affected by environmental properties. We have found that the acceleration efficiency is seemingly controlled by the ambient density in the shock-cloud interaction region. I hope this work helps understand the microphysics of particle acceleration in supernova remnants. Such a detailed study is possible thank to the excellent angular resolution of Chandra.