Shear Acceleration in Relativistic Astrophysical Jets

• Published in: The Astrophysical journal Vol. 617; no. 1; pp. 155 - 161
• Main Authors: Rieger, Frank M, Duffy, Peter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago, IL IOP Publishing 10-12-2004; University of Chicago Press
• Subjects: Astronomy; Characteristics and properties of external galaxies and extragalactic objects; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Jets and bursts. Galactic winds and fountains; Stellar systems. Galactic and extragalactic objects and systems. The universe; Particle acceleration; Relativistic particle; Astrophysical jets; Shear flow; Relativistic jet; Velocity shear
• ISSN: 0004-637X; 1538-4357
• DOI: 10.1086/425167

We consider the acceleration of energetic particles by a velocity shear in the relativistic background flow containing scattering centers. Three possible acceleration sites for astrophysical jets are identified: (1) gradual velocity shear parallel to the jet axis, such as a velocity profile decreasing linearly outward with radial coordinates, (2) gradual velocity shear perpendicular to the jet axis, such as intrinsic jet rotation, and (3) nongradual and/or discontinuous longitudinal velocity shear at the jet-side boundary. We determine the characteristic acceleration timescales, specify the conditions for efficient acceleration, and discuss observational features with respect to each process. In particular, it is shown that in case 2 the higher energy emission is expected to be concentrated closer to the jet axis, while in cases 1 and 3 the higher energy particles are likely to be located near the edges of the jet, thus possibly leading to some form of limb brightening.