Parametric instabilities in relativistic plasma

Parameteric instabilities in the relativistic plasma are considered. It is shown that in the electron relativistic plasma (T _em _0e c ²) the electron mass oscillation in the external electrical field leads to the instability of Langmuir and low frequency aperiodic oscillations as well. In the case of the hot electron ion plasma with relativistic electron temperature the low frequency aperiodic and periodic oscillations are studied. The wave increments for all considered cases are obtained.     

Light rays in gravitating and refractive media: A comparison of the field to particle and Hamiltonian approaches

The field-to-particle method of H. P. Robertson as applied by Noonan, in order to obtain the general relativistic equations describing the trajectory of a photon in a refractive medium, is compared with Synge’s general relativistic Hamiltonian theory of waves and rays. For a photon in vacuum it is known that both approaches yield the same equation for the trajectory, i.e., a null geodesic. However for a photon in a medium, in contradistinction to the Hamiltonian theory, the field-to-particle method (a) yields equations of the photon trajectory valid only in a nondispersive medium, (b) the time component u⁰ of the tangent to the ray remains an undetermined quantity, (c) agreement with the Hamiltonian theory is achieved by substituting into Noonan’s equations the Hamiltonian expression for u ⁰. Published in Astrofizika, Vol. 42, No. 3, pp. 449–455, July–September, 1999.     

Relativistic Langmuir solitons-applications to pulsars

The non-linear Schrödinger equation, describing the non-linear Langmuir waves in a relativistic Vlasov plasma in a strong magnetic field, is derived. In the relativistic limit,KT>mc ², this equation gives envelope solitons which are discussed from a point of view of their applications to pulsars.     

Jupiter's Synchrotron Emission Induced by the Collision of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9

From July 13 to August 21, 1994, we observed Jupiter at 1420 MHz using one of the 30-m single dishes of the Instituto Argentino de Radioastronomía. After the impact of fragment G, we detected a rapid increase of the 21cm-continuum flux, which reached the maximum (≈ 20% of Jupiter's flux) at the end of the impact period. The nature of this radiation is clearly synchrotron. We interpret it in terms of a new population of relativistic electrons (≈ 2 × 10²⁹) injected into the Jovian magnetosphere as a consequence of the impact explosions. The proposed mechanism is that the relativistic plasma was blown as magnetic clouds that flowed along the magnetic lines of force towards the jovimagnetic equator. We constructed a model in which the energies of the fresh electrons, generated within the magnetized clouds with a power law energy spectrum, were highly degraded by the comet dust grains attached to the magnetized plasma. The model can account for the spectral shape based on observations at several frequencies (de Pater et al., 1995, Science 268, 1879; Venturi et al., 1996, Astron. Astrophys. 316, 243). The energy released by the explosions under the form of relativistic electrons is of ≈ 2 × 10²⁵ erg, which represents a fraction of about 1–3 per cent of the explosion energy. The efficiency in converting the explosion energy into the relativistic electron energy is, therefore, of the same order of magnitude as that of supernova explosions. An alternative model is considered. This gives figures for the total energy and number of relativistic electrons that are similar to the corresponding ones of the favoured model. Finally, we suggest that the behavior of the flux decay in the various observed frequencies is the result of the diffusion of electrons into the loss-cone due to the resonant scattering of the electrons by Alfven waves. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Cosmological implications of BL Lac objects

It has become clear in recent years that relativistic beaming is a good explanation for the BL Lac phenomenon. Of studies based on the relativistic beaming model of BL Lac objects, we note that the orientation of jet's axis to the line-of-sight is very small and, therefore, the observed flux emitted from a rapidly moving source is orders of magnitude higher than the flux in its rest-frame:F _obs = ^{3 +} F _intr, where is the bulk relativistic Doppler factor. Then the observed apparent magnitudem _v must be corrected for this effect. For our 39 samples, the corrected apparent magnitudem _v ^corr and logZ have a good correlation.     

The spectrum and polarization of a source of synchrotron emission with components flying apart at relativistic velocities

In the present paper we consider the frequency spectrum, time variations and polarization of the flux of synchrotron radio emission from a source which consists of two components flying apart in opposite directions with relativistic velocities at the same time expanding. A comparison of the calculations with unusual double-humped spectra of some radio sources suggests the existence in their nuclei of such double components which are at an early stage of relativistic ejection. In particular the double-humped spectra of 3C 84 and 4C 50.11/NRAO-150 can be interpreted in the proposed model (see Figures 6, 7, 12 and Equations (22), (32)). In this model the ratio of maximum frequenciesv _1m/v _2m should be larger than that of the maximum fluxesF _v1m ⁽¹⁾/F _v2m ⁽²⁾.The linear polarization of the double-humped spectrum is analysed. It is found under rather specific conditions that at the low-frequency maximum of the spectrum of the type given in Figures 6 and 7 a lower degree of linear polarization is expected than at the high-frequency maximum. In addition, it is natural to expect the appearance of circular polarization in sources with internal largescale relativistic motions. The time variations of the radio flux of some QSS, N-galaxies, and nuclei of Seyfert galaxies can also be interpreted in the suggested model of two clouds of relativistic electrons flying apart in different directions with relativistic velocities while simultaneously expanding. For example, Figure 11 shows the flux variations at 3 frequencies whose ratio is 16:4:1. This picture is similar to the observations of 3C 279 at 3.4 mm, 2 cm and 6 cm, and several other sources (Kellermann andPauliny-Toth, 1968).There have been a number of attempts to explain the flux variations of radio sources in the model of successive, but unrelated outbursts of clouds of relativistic electrons caused by supernova explosions. This model meets many difficulties and seems improbable. In this paper we suggest experimental tests to make a final choice between the model of double components flying apart relativistically and the model of two successive, but unrelated, outbursts from supernovae.If the suggested model of explosions in radio sources is correct, then the processes of variable energy output in such different populations as QSS, N-galaxies, radio-galaxies and the nuclei of normal galaxies have a similar nature, differing only in quantity.Translated by D. F. Smith.     

Production of metagalactic X-rays by relativistic dust grains

The relativistic dust grains which may be responsible for ultra-high energy cosmic rays, as suggested by the present author, interact with the cosmic black-body radiation. This results in the energy loss of the relativistic dust grains, so that their energy spectrum is cut-off at the Lorentz factor as large as 2×10³ (0.1/a), wherea is the grain radius. The black-body radiation is scattered and absorbed by the dust grains. The photons scattered and reemitted contribute to metagalactic X-rays. The X-ray intensity estimated is comparable to the observed one in the soft X-ray region.     

Statistical Tests of the Unification Scheme for High Luminosity Double Radio Sources

We have carried out some statistical tests of relativistic beaming and radio source orientation scenarios using the core dominance parameter Rand linear size D of a recent sample of double-lobed quasars and radio galaxies as orientation indicators. Our results show that the maximum Doppler boosting occurs within a cone angle of ∼ 13^°corresponding to an optimum Lorentz factor of ∼ 5. On the average, quasar cores appear to be boosted by a factor of ∼ 10 relative to those of radio galaxies. In general, we found that quasars lie at closer angles to the line of sight than radio galaxies with median values of 28^° and 51^°respectively, implying a relative foreshortening factor of ∼ 2. These results are consistent with the simple relativistic beaming and orientation-based unification hypotheses in which quasars are the beamed counterparts of powerful radio galaxies which form the isotropic parent population. The results show a strong evidence that orientation of source axis with respect to the line of sight is a crucial parameter in the classification schemes for radio sources. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Stimulated Compton effect and quasi-stellar objects

A computation is presented that predicts with sufficient accuracy the energy transfer between relativistic electrons and radio photons by means of stimulated Compton events. It is shown that the majority of currently assumed parameters for quasi-stellar objects result in situations where the relativistic electrons must be producedinitially at rather high energies (10²–10³) in order to survive for any appreciable length of time.     

Report on the physical characteristics of Vaidya-Tikekar's exact relativistic model for a superdense star

We report here the results of our examination of the physical properties of Vaidya-Tikekar's model for a relativistic star. Full details will be published elsewhere. The analysis yields a strong indication that the model is stable with respect to infinitesimal radial oscillations. We find that the adiabatic speed of sound is smaller than the speed of light everywhere inside the fluid sphere if the radius of the sphere is larger than 1.46 times its Schwarzschild radius. We also find that the fluid must necessarily be supraluminal somewhere if the speed of sound is decreasing outwards close to the center. We further find that the strong energy condition is fulfilled everywhere if it is fulfilled at the center. Since the ratio of the pressure p and the density ⋅ is decreasing outwards, this indicates that the temperature gradient is negative. We also find that the relativistic adiabatic index is larger than two. Demanding the fluid to be causal, and taking the pressure and the density to be somewhere given by 7.4 ⋅ 10³³ dynes/cm³ and 5.1 ⋅ 10¹⁴ g/cm³, we calculate the maximum mass of the fluid sphere to be 3 solar masses.     

Generation of a d.c. field by nonlinear electromagnetic waves in relativistic plasmas

A finite amplitude linearly polarized electromagnetic wave propagating in a relativistic plasma, is found to generate the longitudinal d.c. as well as the oscillating electric field at the second harmonic. In a plasma consisting of only electrons and positrons, these fields cannot be generated.The evolution of the electromagnetic waves is governed by the non-linear Schrödinger equation which shows that the electromagnetic solitons are always possible in ultra-relativistic plasmas (electron-ion or electron-positron) but in a plasma with relativistic electrons and nonrelativistic ions, these solitons exist only if 1(KT _e/m_eC²)<(2m _i/15m_e);m _e andm _i being the electron and ion mass andT _e the electron temperature. Both the d.c. electric field and the solitons provide a nonlinear mechanism for anomalous acceleration of the particles. This model has direct relevance to some plasma processes occurring in pulsars.     

Two-dimensional relativistic stellar wind

The anisotropic structure of the relativistic stellar wind is investigated. Both relativistic fluid velocity and relativistic temperature are taken into account. General analysis is carried out in the curvilinear coordinates and the generalization of the dispersion equation is obtained. The topological structure of the individual field lines is the same as in the spherically-symmetric case, except the fact that the magnetic field dependence on distance cannot be establisheda priori. The interaction between neighbouring field lines brings the dependence on the transverse coordinate, numbering the field lines. This dependence leads to the establishing of a new constraint on the global flow topology. The two-dimensional wind structure is analyzed, with the constraint taken into account, in the large distances limit, using the asymptotic expansion into ther ^–1 power series. In the lowest order approximation the constraint reduces to a new global constant of motion. This constant causes the splitting of the two solution families.     

Brans-Dicke cosmology,II

We discuss the implications of the Brans-Dicke scalar-tensor theory for cosmology with particular emphasis on the primordial element abundances that would obtain. Two general classes of models are found. Models of one class expand through the nuclear burning stage slightly more rapidly than the general relativistic case: models of the other class may expand at any rate whatsoever. The first class of models yeilds primordial abundances of D, He³ and He⁴ in agreement with their general relativistic values if the present mass density is low. High-density cosmologies, however, would produce too much He⁴. The second class of models yields element abundances which are far too high unless the expansion rate was quite large: in this case no He⁴ at all is produced. Finally, we determine the rate of change of the constant of gravitationG at the present epoch. For all but a very small class of models is negative at the present epoch. Models with positive values of at the present epoch produce no primordial He⁴ whatsoever, and have ages significantly lower than the corresponding general relativistic ages.     

Omnidirectional induced compton scattering by relativistic electrons

Quasars, pulsars and other cosmic sources of intense radiation are known to have large brightness temperature (kT _b?mc ²) and relativistic electron density values. In this case the induced Compton scattering by relativistic electrons should be considered. The probability of scattering with decreasing radiation frequency is derived for isotropic radiation scattering. When induced scattering takes place, the relativistic electron obtains its energy by transforming high-frequency quanta into the low-frequency ones. In the most intensive sources electrons would receive energiesE?mc ² ××(kT _b/mc ²)^1/7 due to the heating rate proportional toE ^?5 with the cooling rate proportional toE ². Considerable distortion of the quasar spectrum is possible for reasonably large values of relativistic electron density (N?10⁶cm^?3) notwithstanding that the heating is negligible. In pulsars relativistic electron heating and spectrum distortion appear to depend more on the induced Compton scattering.     

Electromagnetic radiation outbursts from the collision of P/Shoemaker-Levy 9 comet with Jupiter

The forthcoming collision by debris of P/Shoemaker-Levy 9 comet with Jupiter during the week of July 18, 1994 has generated considerable scientific and public interest. This collision may release an amount of energy ranging from 10²⁵-10³¹ ergs in the Jovian atmosphere. Two possible phenomena associated with this event are described in this Letter to the Editor. The first one is the likely display of deformed Jovian magnetic field lines as the comet interacts with the Jovian magnetosphere. The second one is electromagnetic radiation outbursts during comet explosions over a wide frequency range from radio up to gamma ray emissions. If relativistic electrons with energies up to ~ 1000 MeV could be produced during comet explosions, then synchrotron radiations with frequencies from radio up to infrared range could be detectable. Hard X-rays and gamma rays could be produced by bremsstrahlung and inverse Compton processes. Since one cannot exclude the possible transient presence of relativistic electrons with Lorentz factor 2 × 10⁶, synchrotron radiation component might even be extended into gamma ray frequency range during intermittent short time intervals.     

Boltzmann Equilibrium of Endothermic Heavy Nuclear Synthesis in the Universe and a Quark Relation to the Magic Numbers

As laser–plasma interactions access ever-increasing ranges of plasma temperatures and densities, it is interesting to consider whether they will some day shed light on questions concerning nuclear synthesis. One such open question is the process of endothermic nuclear synthesis for elements with A > 60, thought to have taken place at a point in time during the big bang, or currently in supernovae. We present an explanation based on a Boltzmann equilibrium condition, in combination with the change of the Fermi-statistics from the relativistic branch for hadrons from higher than nuclear densities to the lower density subrelativistic branch. The Debye length confinement of nuclei breaks down at the relativistic change, thus leading to the impossibility of nucleation of the quark-gluon state at higher than nuclear densities. Taking the increment for the proton number Z as Z′ = 10 of the measured standard abundance distribution (SAD) of the elements for a Boltzmann probability for heavy element synthesis, a sequence 3 ⁿ was found with the exponent n for the sequence of the magic numbers. The jump between the magic numbers 20 and 28 does not need then the usual spin-orbit explanation.     

Gravitation and inertia; a rearrangement of vacuum in gravity

We address gravitation and inertia in the framework of a general gauge principle (GGP) which accounts for the gravitation gauge group G _R generated by a hidden local internal symmetry implemented on the flat space. Following the method of phenomenological Lagrangians, we connect the group G _R to a non-linear realization of the Lie group of the distortion G _D of the local internal properties of six-dimensional flat space, M ₆, which is assumed as a toy model underlying four-dimensional Minkowski space. We study the geometrical structure of the space of parameters and derive the Maurer–Cartan’s structure equations. We treat distortion fields as Goldstone fields, to which the metric and connection are related, and we infer the group invariants and calculate the conserved currents. The agreement between the proposed gravitational theory and available observational verifications is satisfactory. Unlike the GR, this theory is free of fictitious forces, which prompts us to address separately the inertia from a novel view point. We construct a relativistic field theory of inertia, which treats inertia as a distortion of local internal properties of flat space M ₂ conducted under the distortion inertial fields. We derive the relativistic law of inertia (RLI) and calculate the inertial force acting on the photon in a gravitating system. In spite of the totally different and independent physical sources of gravitation and inertia, the RLI furnishes a justification for the introduction of the Principle of Equivalence. Particular attention is given to the realization of the group G _R by the hidden local internal symmetry of the abelian group U ^loc=U(1) _Y ×diag[SU(2)], implemented on the space M ₆. This group has two generators, the third component T ³ of isospin and the hypercharge Y, implying Q ^d =T ³+Y/2, where Q ^d is the distortion charge operator assigning the number −1 to particles, but +1 to anti-particles. This entails two neutral gauge bosons that coupled to T ³ and Y. We address the rearrangement of the vacuum state in gravity resulting from these ideas. The neutral complex Higgs scalar breaks the vacuum symmetry leaving the gravitation subgroup intact. The resulting massive distortion field component may cause an additional change of properties of the spacetime continuum at huge energies above the threshold value.     

Coherent Synchrotron Radiation of Gamma-Ray Bursts

By now there is no doubt that the gamma-ray bursts (GRB) have a cosmological origin. This allows to regard GRB as the most powerful known energy sources, ε∼ 10⁵⁴ erg (with a total number of gamma quanta N_γ∼ 10⁶⁰). A plausible mechanism of coherent synchrotron radiation (CSR) of relativistic electrons driven by a local magnetic field is studied in this paper. We consider relativistic electrons arising in the Compton scattering of a GRB in directions close to that of the ray from the source to a ground-based observer. The synchrotron pulses from Compton electrons located at different points on the line between the GRB source and the observer arrive at the observation point simultaneously. This simultaneity ensures the coherence of the detected radiation. Both molecular clouds in the host galaxy of the GRB and our own Galaxy, as well as the Earth atmosphere are assumed to be scatterers of the GRB radiation. Signals of each scatterer reach the Earth surface, and can be detected at radio wavelengths. We estimate the characteristics of this radiation. The comparison of GRB data with the corresponding information on CSR pulses offers a way to determine some global characteristics of the medium between the Earth and the GRB source.     

Ohm’s law for plasma in general relativity and Cowling’s theorem

The general-relativistic Ohm’s law for a two-component plasma which includes the gravitomagnetic force terms even in the case of quasi-neutrality has been derived. The equations that describe the electromagnetic processes in a plasma surrounding a neutron star are obtained by using the general relativistic form of Maxwell equations in a geometry of slow rotating gravitational object. In addition to the general-relativistic effect first discussed by Khanna and Camenzind (Astron. Astrophys. 307:665, 1996) we predict a mechanism of the generation of azimuthal current under the general relativistic effect of dragging of inertial frames on radial current in a plasma around neutron star. The azimuthal current being proportional to the angular velocity ω of the dragging of inertial frames can give valuable contribution on the evolution of the stellar magnetic field if ω exceeds 2.7×10¹⁷(n/σ) s⁻¹ (n is the number density of the charged particles, σ is the conductivity of plasma). Thus in general relativity a rotating neutron star, embedded in plasma, can in principle generate axial-symmetric magnetic fields even in axisymmetry. However, classical Cowling’s antidynamo theorem, according to which a stationary axial-symmetric magnetic field can not be sustained against ohmic diffusion, has to be hold in the general-relativistic case for the typical plasma being responsible for the rotating neutron star.     

New concept for testing General Relativity: the Laser Astrometric Test Of Relativity (LATOR) mission

This paper discusses a Fundamental physics experiment that will test relativistic gravity at the accuracy better than the effects of the second order in the gravitational field strength, ∝ G². The Laser Astrometric Test Of Relativity (LATOR) mission uses laser interferometry between two micro‐spacecraft whose lines of sight pass close by the Sun to accurately measure deflection of light in the solar gravity. The key element of the experimental design is a redundant geometry optical truss provided by a long‐baseline (100 m) multi‐channel stellar optical interferometer placed on the International Space Station (ISS). The spatial interferometer is used for measuring the angles between the two spacecraft and for orbit determination purposes. In Euclidean geometry, determination of a triangle's three sides determines any angle therein; with gravity changing the optical lengths of sides passing close by the Sun and deflecting the light, the Euclidean relationships are overthrown. The geometric redundancy enables LATOR to measure the departure from Euclidean geometry caused by the solar gravity field to a very high accuracy. LATOR will not only improve the value of the parameterized post‐Newtonian (PPN) γ to unprecedented levels of accuracy of 1 part in 10⁸, it will also reach ability to measure effects of the next post‐Newtonian order (c⁻⁴) of light deflection resulting from gravity's intrinsic non‐linearity. The solar quadrupole moment parameter, J₂, will be measured with high precision, as well as a variety of other relativistic effects including Lense‐Thirring precession. LATOR will lead to very robust advances in the tests of Fundamental physics: this mission could discover a violation or extension of general relativity, or reveal the presence of an additional long range interaction in the physical law. There are no analogs to the LATOR experiment; it is unique and is a natural culmination of solar system gravity experiments. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)