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Federico Fraschetti

Publications and source records attributed to Federico Fraschetti.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
arXiv2012

Early-time velocity autocorrelation for charged particles diffusion and drift in static magnetic turbulence

Using test-particle simulations, we investigate the temporal dependence of the two-point velocity correlation function for charged particles scattering in a time-independent spatially fluctuating magnetic field derived from a three-dimensional isotropic turbulence power spectrum. Such a correlation function allowed us to compute the spatial coefficients of diffusion both parallel and perpendicular to the average magnetic field. Our simulations confirm the dependence of the perpendicular diffusion coefficient on turbulence energy density and particle energy predicted previously by a model for early-time charged particle transport. Using the computed diffusion coefficients, we exploit the particle velocity autocorrelation to investigate the time-scale over which the particles "decorrelate" from the solution to the unperturbed equation of motion. Decorrelation time-scales are evaluated for parallel and perpendicular motions, including the drift of the particles from the local magnetic field line. The regimes of strong and weak magnetic turbulence are compared for various values of the ratio of the particle gyroradius to the correlation length of the magnetic turbulence. Our simulation parameters can be applied to energetic particles in the interplanetary space, cosmic rays at the supernova shocks, and cosmic-rays transport in the intergalactic medium.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2010

Simulation of the growth of the 3D Rayleigh-Taylor instability in Supernova Remnants using an expanding reference frame

Context: The Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities generated by the deceleration of a supernova remnant during the ejecta-dominated phase are known to produce finger-like structures in the matter distribution which modify the geometry of the remnant. The morphology of supernova remnants is also expected to be modified when efficient particle acceleration occurs at their shocks. Aims: The impact of the Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities from the ejecta-dominated to the Sedov-Taylor phase is investigated over one octant of the supernova remnant. We also study the effect of efficient particle acceleration at the forward shock on the growth of the Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities. Methods: We modified the Adaptive Mesh Refinement code RAMSES to study with hydrodynamic numerical simulations the evolution of supernova remnants in the framework of an expanding reference frame. The adiabatic index of a relativistic gas between the forward shock and the contact discontinuity mimics the presence of accelerated particles. Results: The great advantage of the super-comoving coordinate system adopted here is that it minimizes numerical diffusion at the contact discontinuity, since it is stationary with respect to the grid. We propose an accurate expression for the growth of the Rayleigh-Taylor structures that connects smoothly the early growth to the asymptotic self-similar behaviour. Conclusions: The development of the Rayleigh-Taylor structures is affected, although not drastically, if the blast wave is dominated by cosmic rays. The amount of ejecta that makes it into the shocked interstellar medium is smaller in the latter case. If acceleration occurs at both shocks the extent of the Rayleigh-Taylor structures is similar but the reverse shock is strongly perturbed.

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arXiv2009

3D simulations of supernova remnants evolution including non-linear particle acceleration

If a sizeable fraction of the energy of supernova remnant shocks is channeled into energetic particles (commonly identified with Galactic cosmic rays), then the morphological evolution of the remnants must be distinctly modified. Evidence of such modifications has been recently obtained with the Chandra and XMM-Newton X-ray satellites. To investigate these effects, we coupled a semi-analytical kinetic model of shock acceleration with a 3D hydrodynamic code (by means of an effective adiabatic index). This enables us to study the time-dependent compression of the region between the forward and reverse shocks due to the back reaction of accelerated particles, concomitantly with the development of the Rayleigh-Taylor hydrodynamic instability at the contact discontinuity. Density profiles depend critically on the injection level eta of particles: for eta up to about 10^-4 modifications are weak and progressive, for eta of the order of 10^-3 modifications are strong and immediate. Nevertheless, the extension of the Rayleigh-Taylor unstable region does not depend on the injection rate. A first comparison of our simulations with observations of Tycho's remnant strengthens the case for efficient acceleration of protons at the forward shock.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2008

On the acceleration of Ultra-High-Energy Cosmic Rays

Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays (UHECRs) hit the Earth's atmosphere with energies exceeding $10^{18}$ eV. This is the same energy as carried by a tennis ball moving at 100 km/h, but concentrated on a sub-atomic particle. UHECRs are so rare (the flux of particles with $E > 10^{20}$ eV is 0.5/km$^2$/century) that only a few such particles have been detected over the past 50 years. Recently, the HiRes and Auger experiments have reported the discovery of a high-energy cut-off in the UHECR spectrum, and Auger has found an apparent clustering of the highest energy events towards nearby active galactic nuclei. Consensus is building that the highest energy particles are accelerated within the radio-bright lobes of these objects, but it remains unclear how this actually happens, and whether the cut-off is due to propagation effects or reflects an intrinsically physical limitation of the acceleration process. The low event statistics presently allows for many different plausible models; nevertheless observations are beginning to impose strong constraints on them. These observations have also motivated suggestions that new physics may be implicated. We present a review of the key theoretical and observational issues related to the processes of propagation and acceleration of UHECRs and proposed solutions.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2008

On Gamma-Ray Bursts

(Shortened) We show by example how the uncoding of Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) offers unprecedented possibilities to foster new knowledge in fundamental physics and in astrophysics. After recalling some of the classic work on vacuum polarization in uniform electric fields by Klein, Sauter, Heisenberg, Euler and Schwinger, we summarize some of the efforts to observe these effects in heavy ions and high energy ion collisions. We then turn to the theory of vacuum polarization around a Kerr-Newman black hole, leading to the extraction of the blackholic energy, to the concept of dyadosphere and dyadotorus, and to the creation of an electron-positron-photon plasma. We then present a new theoretical approach encompassing the physics of neutron stars and heavy nuclei. It is shown that configurations of nuclear matter in bulk with global charge neutrality can exist on macroscopic scales and with electric fields close to the critical value near their surfaces. These configurations may represent an initial condition for the process of gravitational collapse, leading to the creation of an electron-positron-photon plasma: the basic self-accelerating system explaining both the energetics and the high energy Lorentz factor observed in GRBs. We then turn to recall the two basic interpretational paradigms of our GRB model. [...] We then turn to the special role of the baryon loading in discriminating between "genuine" short and long or "fake" short GRBs [...] We finally turn to the GRB-Supernova Time Sequence (GSTS) paradigm: the concept of induced gravitational collapse. [...] We then present some general conclusions.

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arXiv2008

Theoretical interpretation of "long" and "short" GRBs

Within the "fireshell" model we define a "canonical GRB" light curve with two sharply different components: the Proper-GRB (P-GRB), emitted when the optically thick fireshell of electron-positron plasma originating the phenomenon reaches transparency, and the afterglow, emitted due to the collision between the remaining optically thin fireshell and the CircumBurst Medium (CBM). We here present the consequences of such a scenario on the theoretical interpretation of the nature of "long" and "short" GRBs.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2007

The Blackholic energy and the canonical Gamma-Ray Burst

We outline the main results of our GRB model, based on the three interpretation paradigms we proposed in July 2001, comparing and contrasting them with the ones in the current literature. Thanks to the observations by Swift and by VLT, this analysis points to a "canonical GRB" originating from markedly different astrophysical scenarios. The communality is that they are all emitted in the formation of a black hole with small or null angular momentum. The following sequence appears to be canonical: the vacuum polarization process creating an optically thick self accelerating electron-positron plasma; the engulfment of baryonic mass during the plasma expansion; the adiabatic expansion of the optically thick "fireshell" up to the transparency; the interaction of the remaining accelerated baryons with the interstellar medium (ISM). This leads to the canonical GRB composed of a proper GRB (P-GRB), emitted at the moment of transparency, followed by an extended afterglow. The parameters are the plasma total energy, the fireshell baryon loading and the ISM filamentary distribution around the source. In the limit of no baryon loading the total energy is radiated in the P-GRB. In this limit, the canonical GRBs explain as well the short GRBs.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2007

GRB 050315: A step toward the uniqueness of the overall GRB structure and the true nature of long GRBs

Using the Swift data of GRB 050315, we progress on the uniqueness of our theoretically predicted Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) structure as composed by a proper-GRB (P-GRB), emitted at the transparency of an electron-positron plasma with suitable baryon loading, and an afterglow comprising the so called "prompt emission" as due to external shocks. Thanks to the Swift observations, we can theoretically fit detailed light curves for selected energy bands on a continuous time scale ranging over 10^6 seconds. The theoretically predicted instantaneous spectral distribution over the entire afterglow confirms a clear hard-to-soft behavior encompassing, continuously, the "prompt emission" all the way to the latest phases of the afterglow. Consequences of the instrumental threshold on the definition of "short" and "long" GRBs are discussed.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2007

The role of GRB 031203 in clarifying the astrophysical GRB scenario

The luminosity and the spectral distribution of the afterglow of GRB 031203 have been presented within our theoretical framework, which envisages the GRB structure as composed by a proper-GRB, emitted at the transparency of an electron-positron plasma with suitable baryon loading, and an afterglow comprising the "prompt emission" as due to external shocks. In addition to the GRB emission, there appears to be a prolonged soft X-Ray emission lasting for 10^6-10^7 seconds followed by an exponential decay. This additional source has been called by us URCA-3. It is urgent to establish if this component is related to the GRB or to the Supernova (SN). In this second case, there are two possibilities: either the interaction of the SN ejecta with the interstellar medium or, possibly, the cooling of a young neutron star formed in the SN 2003lw process. The analogies and the differences between this triptych GRB 031203 / SN 2003lw / URCA-3 and the corresponding ones GRB 980425 / SN 1998bw / URCA-1 and GRB 030329 / SN 2003dh / URCA-2, as well as GRB 060218 / SN 2006aj are discussed.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2007

GRB970228 as a prototype for short GRBs with afterglow

GRB970228 is analyzed as a prototype to understand the relative role of short GRBs and their associated afterglows, recently observed by Swift and HETE-II. Detailed theoretical computation of the GRB970228 light curves in selected energy bands are presented and compared with observational BeppoSAX data.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2007

Theoretical predictions of spectral evolution of short GRBs

We present the properties of spectrum of radiation emitted during gravitational collapse in which electromagnetic field strengths rise over the critical value for $e^+e^-$ pair creation. A drift from soft to a hard energy and a high energy cut off have been found; a comparison with a pure black body spectrum is outlined.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2006

GRB 050315: A step toward the uniqueness of the overall GRB structure

Using the Swift data of GRB 050315, we progress on the uniqueness of our theoretically predicted Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) structure as composed by a proper-GRB (P-GRB), emitted at the transparency of an electron-positron plasma with suitable baryon loading, and an afterglow comprising the so called "prompt emission" as due to external shocks. Thanks to the Swift observations, the P-GRB is identified and for the first time we can theoretically fit detailed light curves for selected energy bands on a continuous time scale ranging over 10^6 seconds. The theoretically predicted instantaneous spectral distribution over the entire afterglow is presented, confirming a clear hard-to-soft behavior encompassing, continuously, the "prompt emission" all the way to the latest phases of the afterglow.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2006

GRB 050315: A step in the proof of the uniqueness of the overall GRB structure

Using the Swift data of GRB 050315, we progress in proving the uniqueness of our theoretically predicted Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) structure as composed by a proper-GRB, emitted at the transparency of an electron-positron plasma with suitable baryon loading, and an afterglow comprising the "prompt radiation" as due to external shocks. Detailed light curves for selected energy bands are theoretically fitted in the entire temporal region of the Swift observations ranging over 10^6 seconds.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2005

Theoretical interpretation of luminosity and spectral properties of GRB 031203

The X and gamma-ray observations of the source GRB 031203 by INTEGRAL are interpreted within our theoretical model. In addition to a complete space-time parametrization of the GRB, we specifically assume that the afterglow emission originates from a thermal spectrum in the co-moving frame of the expanding baryonic matter shell. By determining the two free parameters of the model and estimating the density and filamentary structure of the ISM, we reproduce the observed luminosity in the 20-200 keV energy band. As in previous sources, the prompt radiation is shown to coincide with the peak of the afterglow and the luminosity substructure are shown to originate in the filamentary structure of the ISM. We predict a clear hard-to-soft behavior in the instantaneous spectra. The time-integrated spectrum over 20 seconds observed by INTEGRAL is well fitted. Despite this source has been considered "unusual", it appears to us a normal low energetic GRB.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2005

Evidence for isotropic emission in GRB991216

The issue of the possible presence or absence of jets in GRBs is here re-examined for GRB991216. We compare and contrast our theoretically predicted afterglow luminosity in the 2-10 keV band for spherically symmetric versus jetted emission. At these wavelenghts the jetted emission can be excluded and data analysis confirms spherical symmetry. These theoretical fits are expected to be improved by the forthcoming data of the Swift mission.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2005

Extracting energy from black holes: "long" and "short" GRBs and their astrophysical settings

The introduction of the three interpretational paradigms for Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) and recent progress in understanding the X- and gamma ray luminosity in the afterglow allow us to make assessments about the astrophysical settings of GRBs. In particular, we evidence the distinct possibility that some GRBs occur in a binary system. This subclass of GRBs manifests itself in a "tryptich": one component formed by the collapse of a massive star to a black hole, which originates the GRB; a second component by a supernova and a third one by a young neutron star born in the supernova event. Similarly, the understanding of the physics of quantum relativistic processes during the gravitational collapse makes possible precise predictions about the structure of short GRBs.

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