Radiative acceleration and transient, radiation-induced electric fields

Details Radiative acceleration and transient, radiation-induced electric fields Radiative acceleration and transient, radiation-induced electric fields

2003-04-14

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0304249v1

Astrophys.J. 592 (2003) 368-377

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

14 pages, 7 figures, ApJ, in press (tentatively scheduled for the v. 592, 2003 issue)

Scientific paper

10.1086/375702

The radiative acceleration of particles and the electrostatic potential fields that arise in low density plasmas hit by radiation produced by a transient, compact source are investigated. We calculate the dynamical evolution and asymptotic energy of the charged particles accelerated by the photons and the radiation-induced electric double layer in the full relativistic, Klein-Nishina regime. For fluxes in excess of $10^{27}$ ${\rm erg} {\rm cm}^{-2} {\rm s}^{-1}$, the radiative force on a diluted plasma ($n\la 10^{11}$ cm$^{-3}$) is so strong that electrons are accelerated rapidly to relativistic speeds while ions lag behind owing to their larger inertia. The ions are later effectively accelerated by the strong radiation-induced double layer electric field up to Lorentz factors $\approx 100$, attainable in the case of negligible Compton drag. The asymptotic energies achieved by both ions and electrons are larger by a factor 2--4 with respect to what one could naively expect assuming that the electron-ion assembly is a rigidly coupled system. The regime we investigate may be relevant within the framework of giant flares from soft gamma-repeaters.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Radiative acceleration and transient, radiation-induced electric fields does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Radiative acceleration and transient, radiation-induced electric fields, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Radiative acceleration and transient, radiation-induced electric fields will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-547732