Bonn 2010 – scientific programme

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EP: Fachverband Extraterrestrische Physik

EP 12: Astrophysics I

EP 12.7: Talk

Thursday, March 18, 2010, 10:15–10:30, AKM

The influence of the mass-ratio on particle acceleration by filamentation instabilities — •Thomas Burkart and Felix Spanier — ITPA, Uni Würzburg, Würzburg, D

Up to now it is not yet clear what the actual composition of the jets of Active Galactic Nuclei is. Radiation models so far prefer either a pure leptonic or hadronic composition, but it can be safely assumed that protons as well as electrons and positrons are present in AGN jets. In recent PIC simulations of colliding plasma streams pure electron-positron or electron-proton plasmas have been considered. Our approach is now to consider mixed plasma of protons, electrons and positrons. This will give us an insight to the possible instabilities taking place in the mixed modes. The interesting point is that due to the different masses the magnetic field increase may be modified. We have undertaken simulations of mixed mode plasmas using different mass ratios. Our research shows the influence of the mass ratio and the composition on the magnetic field generated by the filamentation instability. Also the energy spectra of high mass and low mass particles are compared.