Particle acceleration and magnetic field amplification by relativistic shocks in inhomogeneous media

TL;DR

This study uses 3D MHD and test-particle simulations to explore how relativistic shocks in inhomogeneous media amplify magnetic fields and accelerate particles, revealing the importance of upstream density fluctuations.

Contribution

It demonstrates the role of inhomogeneous media in magnetic field amplification and particle acceleration in relativistic shocks through combined MHD and test-particle simulations.

Findings

Magnetic fields are amplified to observed levels in gamma-ray bursts.

Particles are accelerated by downstream turbulence and shocks.

Upstream density fluctuations enhance particle injection and acceleration.

Abstract

Particle acceleration and magnetic field amplification in relativistic shocks propagating in inhomogeneous media are investigated by three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamical (MHD) simulations and test-particle simulations. The MHD simulations show that the interaction between the relativistic shock and dense clumps amplifies the downstream magnetic field to the value expected from observations of the gamma-ray burst. The test-particle simulations in the electromagnetic field given by the MHD simulation show that particles are accelerated by the downstream turbulence and the relativistic shock. We provide the injection energy to the shock acceleration in this system. If the amplitude of upstream density fluctuations is sufficiently large, low-energy particles are initially accelerated to the injection energy by the downstream turbulence and then rapidly accelerated to higher energies by the relativistic shock. Therefore, the density fluctuation significantly affects particle acceleration in the relativistic shock.