Physical problems (microphysics) in relativistic plasma flows

L. O. Silva

doi:10.1063/1.2356387

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arXiv · astro-ph/0610345

Physical problems (microphysics) in relativistic plasma flows

L. O. Silva

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Abstract

Many problems in astrophysics involve relativistic outflows. The plasma dynamics in these scenarios is critical to determine the conditions for the self-consistent evolution of the fields and particle acceleration. Advances in computer power now allow for kinetic plasma simulations, based on the particle-in-cell (PIC) paradigm, capable of providing information about the role of plasma instabilities in relativistic outflows. A discussion of the key issues associated with PIC simulations is presented, along with some the most important results and open questions, with a particular emphasis on the long time evolution of the filamentation, or Weibel, instability, and on the possible collisionless mechanisms for particle acceleration arising in the collision of relativistic plasma shells.

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L. O. Silva. 2006-10-11. Physical problems (microphysics) in relativistic plasma flows. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2356387

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