Phase-transient hierarchical turbulence as an energy correlation generator of blazar light curves

TL;DR

This paper proposes a hierarchical turbulence model in blazar jets that explains energy-dependent variability and spectral hysteresis by linking filament structures to electron acceleration and magnetic fields.

Contribution

It introduces a novel hierarchical turbulence framework that connects filament structures to observed blazar variability and spectral features, advancing understanding of jet physics.

Findings

Hierarchical turbulence explains X- and gamma-ray correlation in blazars.

Filament transitions cause changes in spectral hysteresis.

Magnetic field structures influence electron acceleration and emission spectra.

Abstract

Hierarchical turbulent structure constituting a jet is considered to reproduce energy-dependent variability in blazars, particularly, the correlation between X- and gamma-ray light curves measured in the TeV blazar Markarian 421. The scale-invariant filaments are featured by the ordered magnetic fields that involve hydromagnetic fluctuations serving as electron scatterers for diffusive shock acceleration, and the spatial size scales are identified with the local maximum electron energies, which are reflected in the synchrotron spectral energy distribution (SED) above the near-infrared/optical break. The structural transition of filaments is found to be responsible for the observed change of spectral hysteresis.