Multi-Stage Drive of Astrophysical Jets

Miniconference on astrophysical jets

This miniconference brought together observers of astrophysical jets, analytic and numerical modelers of both astrophysical jets and spheromaks, and laboratory experimentalists. The purpose of the miniconference was to encourage interaction between these diverse groups and also expose the plasma physics community to the interesting plasma issues associated with astrophysical jets. The miniconfe...

Inertial Connnement of Astrophysical Jets

Fermi acceleration in astrophysical jets

We consider the acceleration of energetic particles by Fermi processes (i.e., diffusive shock acceleration, second order Fermi acceleration, and gradual shear acceleration) in relativistic astrophysical jets, with particular attention given to recent progress in the field of viscous shear acceleration. We analyze the associated acceleration timescales and the resulting particle distributions, a...

On the Speed of Astrophysical Jets

The evolution of the speed of astrophysical jets relative to the ambient medium is investigated using a simple model. We assume that a jet clump is under the influence of the relativistic tidal force of the central source as well as the plasma force due to the electromagnetic field of the ambient medium. The resulting equation of motion predicts that in time the speed of the clump tends to the ...

High-energy Aspects of Astrophysical Jets

Various aspects of the high-energy emission from relativistic jets associated with compact astrophysical systems are reviewed. The main leptonic and hadronic processes responsible for the production of high-energy γ-rays, very-high energy neutrinos and ultra-high energy cosmic rays are discussed. Relations between the γγ pair production and photomeson production opacities are derived, and their...