Ultra-low-frequency LOFAR spectral indices of cluster radio halos

Context. A fraction of galaxy clusters harbor diffuse radio sources known as radio halos. The prevailing theory regarding their formation is based on second-order Fermi reacceleration of seed electrons caused by merger-driven turbulence in the intra-cluster medium. This mechanism is expected to be inefficient, which implies that a significant fraction of halos should have very steep energy spectra ( α