Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2006-04-16
Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc.372:1217-1226,2006
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
10 pages, 9 figures; MNRAS, in press
Scientific paper
10.1111/j.1365-2966.2006.10923.x
We propose a straightforward and efficient mechanism for the high-energy emission of relativistic astrophysical jets associated with an exchange of interacting high-energy photons between the jet and the external environment. Physical processes playing the main role in this mechanism are electron-positron pair production by photons and the inverse Compton scattering. This scenario has been studied analytically as well as with numerical simulations demonstrating that a relativistic jet (with the Lorentz factor larger than 3--4) moving through the sufficiently dense, soft radiation field inevitably undergoes transformation into a luminous state. The process has a supercritical character: the high-energy photons breed exponentially being fed directly by the bulk kinetic energy of the jet. Eventually particles feed back on the fluid dynamics and the jet partially decelerates. As a result, a significant fraction (at least 20 per cent) of the jet kinetic energy is converted into radiation mainly in the MeV -- GeV energy range. The mechanism maybe responsible for the bulk of the emission of relativistic jets in active galactic nuclei, microquasars and gamma-ray bursts.
Poutanen Juri
Stern Boris E.
No associations
LandOfFree
A photon breeding mechanism for the high-energy emission of relativistic jets 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 A photon breeding mechanism for the high-energy emission of relativistic jets, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A photon breeding mechanism for the high-energy emission of relativistic jets will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-482701