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High-energy particle acceleration by explosive electromagnetic interaction in an accretion diskBy examining electromagnetic field evolution occurring in an accretion disk around a compact object, we arrive at an explosive mechanism of particle acceleration. Flux-freezing in the differentially rotating disk causes the seed and/or generated magnetic field to wrap up tightly, becoming highly sheared and locally predominantly azimuthal in orientation. We show how asymptotically nonlinear solutions for the electromagnetic fields may arise in isolated plasma blobs as a result of the driving of the fluid equations by the accretion flow. These fields are capable of rapidly accelerating charged particles from the disk. Acceleration through the present mechanism from AGN can give rise to energies beyond 10 exp 20 eV. Such a mechanism may present an explanation for the extragalactic origin of the most energetic observed cosmic rays.
Document ID
19930037486
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Haswell, C. A.
(NASA Headquarters Washington, DC United States)
Tajima, T.
(Texas Univ. Austin, United States)
Sakai, J.-I.
(Toyama Univ. Japan)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
December 20, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 1
Volume: 401
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
93A21483
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: DE-FG05-80ET-33088
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-2678
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-91-13576
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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