Astrophysical ZeV acceleration in the relativistic jet from an accreting supermassive blackhole

TL;DR

This paper proposes a mechanism where supermassive blackholes in AGNs accelerate protons to ZeV energies via Alfven waves, explaining observed ultra-high-energy cosmic rays without excessive radiation losses.

Contribution

It introduces a novel ZeV acceleration process driven by Alfven waves in AGN jets, distinct from Fermi acceleration, matching observed cosmic ray and gamma-ray data.

Findings

Proposes a prompt, localized acceleration mechanism for ZeV cosmic rays.

Shows consistency between production rates and observed blazar gamma-ray luminosities.

Suggests a new pathway for ultra-high-energy cosmic ray origins.

Abstract

An accreting supermassive blackhole, the central engine of active galactic nucleus (AGN), is capable of exciting extreme amplitude Alfven waves whose wavelength (wave packet) size is characterized by its clumpiness. The pondermotive force and wakefield are driven by these Alfven waves propagating in the AGN (blazar) jet and accelerate protons/nuclei to extreme energies beyond Zetta-electron volt (ZeV$=10^{21}$ eV). Such acceleration is prompt, localized, and does not suffer from the multiple scattering/bending enveloped in the Fermi acceleration that causes excessive synchrotron radiation loss beyond $10^{19}$ eV. The production rate of ZeV cosmic rays is found to be consistent with the observed gamma-ray luminosity function of blazars and their time variabilities.