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Compton-driven beam formation and magnetization via plasma microinstabilities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 June 2021

Bertrand Martinez Open the ORCID record for Bertrand Martinez [Opens in a new window] ,
Thomas Grismayer  and
Luís O. Silva
Bertrand Martinez*
Affiliation:
GoLP/Instituto de Plasmas e Fusão Nuclear, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001Lisbon, Portugal
Thomas Grismayer
Affiliation:
GoLP/Instituto de Plasmas e Fusão Nuclear, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001Lisbon, Portugal
Luís O. Silva
Affiliation:
GoLP/Instituto de Plasmas e Fusão Nuclear, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001Lisbon, Portugal
*
†Email address for correspondence: [email protected]
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Abstract

Compton scattering of gamma rays propagating in a pair plasma can drive the formation of a relativistic electron positron beam. This process is scrutinized theoretically and numerically via particle-in-cell simulations. In addition, we determine in which conditions the beam can prompt a beam-plasma instability and convert its kinetic energy into magnetic energy. We argue that such conditions can be met at the photosphere radius of bright gamma-ray bursts.

Keywords

plasma instabilities
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Plasma Physics , Volume 87 , Issue 3 , June 2021 , 905870313
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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References

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