Turbulence and Particle Acceleration in a Relativistic Plasma

Journal Article · 07 January 2022 · The Astrophysical Journal. Letters

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ac441e · OSTI ID:1840059

Vega, Cristian; Boldyrev, Stanislav ; Roytershteyn, Vadim ; Medvedev, Mikhail

Abstract In a collisionless plasma, the energy distribution function of plasma particles can be strongly affected by turbulence. In particular, it can develop a nonthermal power-law tail at high energies. We argue that turbulence with initially relativistically strong magnetic perturbations (magnetization parameter σ ≫ 1) quickly evolves into a state with ultrarelativistic plasma temperature but mildly relativistic turbulent fluctuations. We present a phenomenological and numerical study suggesting that in this case, the exponent α in the power-law particle-energy distribution function, f ( γ ) d γ ∝ γ ^{− α} d γ , depends on magnetic compressibility of turbulence. Our analytic prediction for the scaling exponent α is in good agreement with the numerical results.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: SC0019315; SC0019474
• OSTI ID: 1840059
• Journal Information: The Astrophysical Journal. Letters, Journal Name: The Astrophysical Journal. Letters Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 924; ISSN 2041-8205
• Publisher: American Astronomical SocietyCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English