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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Gamma-Ray Bursts Induced By Turbulent Reconnection, A. Lazarian, Bing Zhang, Siyao Xu
Gamma-Ray Bursts Induced By Turbulent Reconnection, A. Lazarian, Bing Zhang, Siyao Xu
Physics & Astronomy Faculty Research
We revisit the Internal-Collision-induced MAgnetic Reconnection and Turbulence model of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) in view of the advances made in understanding of both relativistic magnetic turbulence and relativistic turbulent magnetic reconnection. We identify the kink instability as the most natural way of changing the magnetic configuration to release the magnetic free energy through magnetic reconnection, as well as driving turbulence that enables fast turbulent reconnection. We show that this double role of the kink instability is important for explaining the prompt emission of GRBs. Our study confirms the critical role that turbulence plays in boosting reconnection efficiency in GRBs and …
On The Broad-Band Synchrotron Spectra Of Pulsar Wind Nebulae, Siyao Xu, Noel Klinger, Oleg Kargaltsev, Bing Zhang
On The Broad-Band Synchrotron Spectra Of Pulsar Wind Nebulae, Siyao Xu, Noel Klinger, Oleg Kargaltsev, Bing Zhang
Physics & Astronomy Faculty Research
As shown by broad-band observations, pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe) are characterized by a broken power-law spectrum of synchrotron emission. Based on the modern magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence theories, we investigate the re-acceleration of electrons in the PWN through the adiabatic stochastic acceleration (ASA), which arises from fundamental dynamics of MHD turbulence. The ASA acts to flatten the injected energy spectrum of electrons at low energies, while synchrotron cooling results in a steep spectrum of electrons at high energies. Their dominance in different energy ranges leads to a flat radio spectrum (Fν ) and a steep X-ray spectrum. Our analytical spectral shapes …