1111.3326 (Edison Liang et al.)

Particle-in-Cell Simulations of Relativistic Shear Flow Boundary Layer    [PDF]

Edison Liang, Ian Smith, Markus Boettcher

Using 2.5-dimensional Particle-in-Cell simulations, we studied the kinetic physics of relativistic shear flows. We find efficient magnetic field generation and nonthermal particle acceleration at the shear boundary. Ordered flux tubes/sheets with alternating polarities and peak fields reaching equipartition values are generated and sustained by the free-energy of the shear flow. Nonthermal high-energy particles are accelerated by diffusive acceleration. A quasi-power-law tail truncated at low energies is achieved at strong shears. These results have important implications for the dissipation and radiation of relativistic jets.

View original: http://arxiv.org/abs/1111.3326