Discovery of a large-scale bent radio jet in the merging cluster Abell 514

Abstract: We report a discovery of a large-scale bent radio jet in the merging galaxy cluster Abell 514 ($z = 0.071$). The radio emission originates from the two radio lobes of the AGN located near the center of the southern subcluster and extends towards the southern outskirts with multiple bends. Its peculiar morphology is characterized by a $400$-kpc bridge'', a $300$-kpcarc'', and a $400$-kpc tail'', which together contribute to its largest linear size of $\sim0.7$ Mpc. We find that both the flux and spectral features of the emission change with the distance from the AGN. Also, thebridge'' presents a $60\%$ polarized radio emission, which coincided with an X-ray cold front. Based on our multi-wavelength observations, we propose that A514 presents a clear case for the redistribution of an old AGN plasma due to merger-driven gas motions. We support our interpretation with idealized cluster merger simulations employing a passive tracer field to represent cosmic-ray electrons and find that merger-driven motions can efficiently create a cloud of these particles in the cluster outskirts, which later can be re-accelerated by the cluster merger shock and produce radio relics.