Particle Acceleration and Radiation associated with Magnetic Field Generation from Relativistic Collisionless Shocks

Details Particle Acceleration and Radiation associated with Magnetic Field Generation from Relativistic Collisionless Shocks Particle Acceleration and Radiation associated with Magnetic Field Generation from Relativistic Collisionless Shocks

2003-12-03

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0312103v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

4 pages, 1 figure, submitted to Proceedings of 2003 Gamma Ray Burst Conference

Scientific paper

10.1063/1.1810850

Shock acceleration is an ubiquitous phenomenon in astrophysical plasmas. Plasma waves and their associated instabilities (e.g., the Buneman instability, two-streaming instability, and the Weibel instability) created in the shocks are responsible for particle (electron, positron, and ion) acceleration. Using a 3-D relativistic electromagnetic particle (REMP) code, we have investigated particle acceleration associated with a relativistic jet front propagating through an ambient plasma with and without initial magnetic fields. We find only small differences in the results between no ambient and weak ambient magnetic fields. Simulations show that the Weibel instability created in the collisionless shock front accelerates particles perpendicular and parallel to the jet propagation direction. The simulation results show that this instability is responsible for generating and amplifying highly nonuniform, small-scale magnetic fields, which contribute to the electron's transverse deflection behind the jet head. The ``jitter'' radiation from deflected electrons has different properties than synchrotron radiation which is calculated in a uniform magnetic field. This jitter radiation may be important to understanding the complex time evolution and/or spectral structure in gamma-ray bursts, relativistic jets, and supernova remnants.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Particle Acceleration and Radiation associated with Magnetic Field Generation from Relativistic Collisionless Shocks 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 Particle Acceleration and Radiation associated with Magnetic Field Generation from Relativistic Collisionless Shocks, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Particle Acceleration and Radiation associated with Magnetic Field Generation from Relativistic Collisionless Shocks will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-630141