Spatial distribution of the inverse Compton cooling scalar at orbital phase, φ = 0.8 from a model calculation with ζ_rel = 0.15, ζ_B = 5 × 10^-5, and p = 1.6. The full x− y extent of the domain is shown (see Sect. 2.2). Points “A” and “B” are reference points for comparing the influence of inverse Compton cooling on the emergent radio emission (see Sect. 6). Note that the scalar is zero in the un-shocked winds.