SearcharxivSearch

arXiv subjects

A. Chernoglazov

Publications and source records attributed to A. Chernoglazov.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Weak Alfvénic turbulence in relativistic plasmas. Part 1. Dynamical equations and basic dynamics of interacting resonant triads

Alfvén wave collisions are the primary building blocks of the non-relativistic turbulence that permeates the heliosphere and low-to-moderate energy astrophysical systems. However, many astrophysical systems such as gamma-ray bursts, pulsar and magnetar magnetospheres, and active galactic nuclei have relativistic flows or energy densities. To better understand these high energy systems, we derive reduced relativistic MHD equations and employ them to examine weak Alfvénic turbulence, dominated by three-wave interactions, in reduced relativistic magnetohydrodynamics, including the force-free, infinitely magnetized limit. We compare both numerical and analytical solutions to demonstrate that many of the findings from non-relativistic weak turbulence are retained in the relativistic system. But, an important distinction in the relativistic limit is the inapplicability of a formally incompressible limit, i.e, there exists finite coupling to the compressible fast mode regardless of the strength of the magnetic field. Since fast modes can propagate across field lines, this mechanism provides a route for energy to escape strongly magnetized systems, e.g., magnetar magnetospheres. However, we find that the fast-Alfvén coupling is diminished in the limit of oblique propagation.

astro-ph.HE

Weak Alfvénic turbulence in relativistic plasmas II: Current sheets and dissipation

Alfvén waves as excited in black hole accretion disks and neutron star magnetospheres are the building blocks of turbulence in relativistic, magnetized plasmas. A large reservoir of magnetic energy is available in these systems, such that the plasma can be heated significantly even in the weak turbulence regime. We perform high-resolution three-dimensional simulations of counter-propagating Alfvén waves, showing that an $E_{B_{\perp}}(k_{\perp}) \propto k_{\perp}^{-2}$ energy spectrum develops as a result of the weak turbulence cascade in relativistic magnetohydrodynamics and its infinitely magnetized (force-free) limit. The plasma turbulence ubiquitously generates current sheets, which act as locations where magnetic energy dissipates. We show that current sheets form as a natural result of nonlinear interactions between counter-propagating Alfvén waves. These current sheets form due to the compression of elongated eddies, driven by the shear induced by growing higher order modes, and undergo a thinning process until they break-up into small-scale turbulent structures. We explore the formation of {current sheets} both in overlapping waves and in localized wave packet collisions. The relativistic interaction of localized Alfvén waves induces both Alfvén waves and fast waves and efficiently mediates the conversion and dissipation of electromagnetic energy in astrophysical systems. Plasma energization through reconnection in current sheets emerging during the interaction of Alfvén waves can potentially explain X-ray emission in black hole accretion coronae and neutron star magnetospheres.

astro-ph.HE

A transition from parabolic to conical shape as a common effect in nearby AGN jets

Observational studies of collimation in jets in active galactic nuclei (AGN) are a key to understanding their formation and acceleration processes. We have performed an automated search for jet shape transitions in a sample of 367 AGN using VLBA data at 15 GHz and 1.4 GHz. This search has found ten out of 29 nearby jets at redshifts z<0.07 with a transition from a parabolic to conical shape, while the full analyzed sample is dominated by distant AGN with a typical z about 1. The ten AGN are UGC00773, NGC1052, 3C111, 3C120, TXS0815-094, Mrk180, PKS1514+00, NGC6251, 3C371, and BL Lac. We conclude that the geometry transition may be a common effect in AGN jets. It can be observed only when sufficient linear resolution is obtained. Supplementing these results with previously reported shape breaks in the nearby AGN 1H0323+342 and M87, we estimate that the break occurs at 10^5-10^6 gravitational radii from the nucleus. We suggest that the jet shape transition happens when the bulk plasma kinetic energy flux becomes equal to the Poynting energy flux, while the ambient medium pressure is assumed to be governed by Bondi accretion. In general, the break point may not coincide with the Bondi radius. The observational data supports our model predictions on the jet acceleration and properties of the break point.

astro-ph.GA

MARS-MD: rejection based image domain material decomposition

This paper outlines image domain material decomposition algorithms that have been routinely used in MARS spectral CT systems. These algorithms (known collectively as MARS-MD) are based on a pragmatic heuristic for solving the under-determined problem where there are more materials than energy bins. This heuristic contains three parts: (1) splitting the problem into a number of possible sub-problems, each containing fewer materials; (2) solving each sub-problem; and (3) applying rejection criteria to eliminate all but one sub-problem's solution. An advantage of this process is that different constraints can be applied to each sub-problem if necessary. In addition, the result of this process is that solutions will be sparse in the material domain, which reduces crossover of signal between material images. Two algorithms based on this process are presented: the Segmentation variant, which uses segmented material classes to define each sub-problem; and the Angular Rejection variant, which defines the rejection criteria using the angle between reconstructed attenuation vectors.

physics.med-ph