arXiv subjects

Valerio Vittorini

Publications and source records attributed to Valerio Vittorini.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Simulating megaparsec-scale jets of radio galaxies: Magneto-hydrodynamics of jets reaching 5 Mpc

Extragalactic jets have long prompted the question of how far relativistic outflows can extend, with some radio sources reaching 5 - 7 Mpc in length. These great extents motivate investigations into their ages, propagation dynamics, stability, and impact on the environment. We perform 3D high-resolution numerical simulations of two jet configurations involving continuous injection at different powers propagating in low-density regions of the cosmos (static and laminar), investigating the conditions for jet collimation versus disruption at extreme scales. We show that the combined effects of higher jet thrust (enhanced kinetic power), improved collimation (suppression of transverse distortions), and magnetic stabilization (strengthened poloidal field) can sustain a laterally confined flow, enabling such a jet to reach 5 Mpc in just 15 Myr (injecting a total energy of $2.3 \times 10^{61}$ erg into the environment). In contrast, a jet lacking these conditions dissipates more rapidly, forming lobe-like morphologies and reaching only $\sim 3$ Mpc over $\sim35$ Myr (injecting total energy of $8.1 \times 10^{60}$ erg). Pinch and kink MHD instabilities are identified as the primary drivers of transverse distortions; their suppression allows the persistence of a fast spine alongside a slower, dissipative head (location of maximum environmental interaction). We find that the jet-head propagation shows two regimes: one with speed $\sim0.5 c$; the other with speed from $\sim 0.2 c$ to $\sim 0.05 c$. We consider a proxy of synchrotron emission and find that radiation is concentrated in regions of enhanced compression and magnetic amplification, primarily near the first recollimation shock (producing a bright radio spot) and at the jet-head interaction zone (producing the radio termination lobe). Such jets facilitate the transport of substantial energy and magnetic flux into underdense cosmic regions.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2026

Radiative PIC simulations of relativistic pair plasma: multiple interacting current sheets and turbulent evolution

Two-dimensional relativistic particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations of radiative magnetic reconnection in pair plasmas with multiple interacting current sheets are carried out to mimic the dynamics in high-energy astrophysical environments, such as particle acceleration regions in pulsar wind nebulae and relativistic outflows, where the magnetic field is expected to reverse polarity multiple times. Initially, due to reconnection within each isolated sheet, particles are accelerated and synchrotron emission beyond the burn-off limit is confirmed, even if the particle distribution function shows steep slopes. After this phase, plasmoids lead to cross-sheet interactions and merging, with new current sheets formed. In this regime a Kolmogorov-like spectrum for the magnetic energy develops over a couple of decades, followed by a dissipation range starting around 5~$d_e$ (electron inertial lengths), showing that multi-sheet reconnection evolves nonlinearly into well-developed turbulence. This phase provides secondary acceleration and further cooling by synchrotron emission, with intermittent radiative bursts. We show that high energy accelerated particles by the primary current sheets are further energized during the turbulent phase, while the distribution of the most energetic particles remains steep.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

Galactic-scale evolution of classical and complex radio galaxies. Impact of ambient morphology and jet geometry

Extragalactic jets exhibit a wide range of propagation orientations relative to the host galaxy's principal axis. This study investigate the spatiotemporal evolution of jets as a function of their propagation direction within their triaxial hosts-introducing varying degrees of environmental hindrance-and as a function of internal jet properties (while maintaining identical jet power)-introducing varying collimation and thrust. Observational data on extended radio sources are re-analyzed to identify key traits arising from variations in jet orientation and intrinsic properties. These findings are then systematically tested using a suite of 3D RMHD simulations. When a jet propagates along host's major axis (path of maximal environmental resistance), it produces an X-shaped morphology with secondary lobe aligns along the minor axis, co-evolving actively alongside the active jet. At intermediate angles to the major axis, the jet morphology transitions into a double-boomerang structure with notably curved lobes. Such lobes are interestingly regenerative through both backflow and jet precession mechanisms, making it difficult to disentangle their origin. Jets propagating along the minor axis (path of minimal resistance) exhibit faster propagation, forming classical double-lobed sources. With increased thrust and improved collimation (keeping jet power constant), these jets advance even more rapidly, potentially evolving into giant radio galaxy candidates. Counterexample sources that deviate from these traits were also modeled. The spatial variation of internal turbulence shows significant fluctuations below 1 kpc, with stronger magnetic fields further suppressing these irregularities. Magnetic field plays a key role in the radiative appearance of these sources, modulating features like missing or one-sided (wing) lobe emission, filamentary structures, and warmspot versus hotspot formation.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2023

Neutrinos from interactions between the relativistic jet and large-scale structures of BL Lac objects investigated through their gamma-ray spectrum

Absorption and emission lines in the optical spectrum are typically used to investigate the presence of large-scale environments in active galactic nuclei (AGNs). BL Lac objects - which are a category of AGNs with the relativistic jet pointing directly to the observer - are supposed to represent a late evolution stage of AGNs. Their large-scale structures are probably poorer of material, which is distributed with lower densities throughout the circumnuclear environment. Their accretion disk is weak and weakly reprocessed, making the non-thermal continuum of the relativistic jet dominate their optical spectrum and preventing us from identifying the thermal emission of the photon fields produced by such large-scale structures. However, these photon fields may still exist and eventually interact with the gamma rays traveling in the blazar jet via gamma-gamma pair production, producing observable effects such as absorption features in their spectral energy distribution. Interestingly, the same photon field might also lead to the production of high-energy neutrinos, acting as targets for proton-photon interactions. In this contribution, we present the results of a set of simulations over a wide parameter space describing both the blazar jet and the photon field properties. We discuss the most effective conditions that may produce fluxes of neutrinos compatible with the sensitivities of the current and the next generation of neutrino detectors. We will also discuss how the possible neutrino flux would be related to the properties of the large-scale structures investigated indirectly through the analysis of the gamma-ray spectrum of the BL Lac object.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2015

An Emerging Class of Gamma-Ray Flares from Blazars: Beyond One-Zone Models

Blazars radiate from relativistic plasma jets with bulk Lorentz factors Γ ~ 10, closely aligned along our line of sight. In a number of blazars of the Flat Spectrum Radio Quasar type such as 3C 454.3 and 3C 279 gamma-ray flares have recently been detected with very high luminosity and little or no counterparts in the optical and soft X-ray bands. They challenge the current one-zone leptonic models of emissions from within the broad line region. The latter envisage the optical/X-ray emissions to be produced as synchrotron radiation by the same population of highly relativistic electrons in the jet that would also yield the gamma rays by inverse Compton up-scattering of surrounding soft photons. To meet the challenge we present here a model based on primary synchrotron photons emitted in the broad line region by a plasmoid moving out with the jet and scattered back toward the incoming plasmoid by an outer plasma clump acting as a mirror. We consider both a scenario based on a static mirror located outside the BLR, and an alternative provided by a moving mirror geometry. We show that mirroring phenomena can locally enhance the density and anisotropy with associated relativistic boosting of soft photons within the jet, so as to trigger bright inverse Compton gamma-ray transients from nearly steady optical/X-ray synchrotron emissions. In this picture we interpret the peculiarly asymmetric lightcurves of the recently detected gamma-ray flares from 3C 279. Our scenario provides a promising start to understand the widening class of bright and transient gamma-ray activities in blazars.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2014

GAMMA-LIGHT: High-Energy Astrophysics above 10 MeV

High-energy phenomena in the cosmos, and in particular processes leading to the emission of gamma- rays in the energy range 10 MeV - 100 GeV, play a very special role in the understanding of our Universe. This energy range is indeed associated with non-thermal phenomena and challenging particle acceleration processes. The technology involved in detecting gamma-rays is challenging and drives our ability to develop improved instruments for a large variety of applications. GAMMA-LIGHT is a Small Mission which aims at an unprecedented advance of our knowledge in many sectors of astrophysical and Earth studies research. The Mission will open a new observational window in the low-energy gamma-ray range 10-50 MeV, and is configured to make substantial advances compared with the previous and current gamma-ray experiments (AGILE and Fermi). The improvement is based on an exquisite angular resolution achieved by GAMMA-LIGHT using state-of-the-art Silicon technology with innovative data acquisition. GAMMA-LIGHT will address all astrophysics issues left open by the current generation of instruments. In particular, the breakthrough angular resolution in the energy range 100 MeV - 1 GeV is crucial to resolve patchy and complex features of diffuse sources in the Galaxy as well as increasing the point source sensitivity. This proposal addresses scientific topics of great interest to the community, with particular emphasis on multifrequency correlation studies involving radio, optical, IR, X-ray, soft gamma-ray and TeV emission. At the end of this decade several new observatories will be operational including LOFAR, SKA, ALMA, HAWK, CTA. GAMMA-LIGHT will "fill the vacuum" in the 10 MeV-10 GeV band, and will provide invaluable data for the understanding of cosmic and terrestrial high-energy sources.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2011

Flaring Patterns in Blazars

Blazars radiate from relativistic jets launched by a supermassive black hole along our line of sight; the subclass of FSRQs exhibits broad emission lines, a telltale sign of a gas-rich environment and high accretion rate, contrary to the other subclass of the BL Lacertae objects. We show that this dichotomy of the sources in physical properties is enhanced in their flaring activity. The BL Lac flares yielded spectral evidence of being driven by further acceleration of highly relativistic electrons in the jet. Here we discuss spectral fits of multi-lambda data concerning strong flares of the two flat spectrum radio quasars 3C 454.3 and 3C 279 recently detected in gamma rays by the AGILE and Fermi satellites. We find that optimal spectral fits are provided by external Compton radiation enhanced by increasing production of thermal seed photons by growing accretion. We find such flares to trace patterns on the jet power - electron energy plane that diverge from those followed by flaring BL Lacs, and discuss why these occur.

astro-ph.CO↗