Inverse Compton scattering and the alignments observed in high-redshift radio galaxies

A new model to explain the alignments of the optical continuum and emission-line regions with the radio axis in high-redshift radio galaxies is presented. Inverse Compton scattering of microwave background photons with relatiely cool relativistic electrons will produce near-infrared, optical, and ultraviolet COntinuum. Radio bridges detected in high-redshift radio galaxies provide direct evidence for a reservoir of relativistic electrons along the radio axes, hence the upscattered radiation will be aligned with the radio axes. The constraints on the jet-induced star formation model implied by the properties of the radio bridges are discussed, and the inverse Compton scattering model is presented.