Maxim Lyutikov, Purdue University (Principal Investigator)

Lorenzo Sironi, Columbia University (Co-Investigator)

The proposed research aims to study the microphysics of cosmic plasmas in a parameter regime relevant to astrophysical plasmas. In particular, this proposal focuses on the highly dynamic regime of explosive reconnection and associated particle acceleration in relativistic plasmas. The proposed research will consider stability and explosive plasma dynamics, particle acceleration and radiation production in a number of idealized plasma configurations that approximate relevant astrophysical sources, such as the magnetic ABC structures and interacting flux tubes. The well-studied case of the Crab Nebula will be taken as a prototypical example for the application of the model. The proposed research includes a number of theoretical investigations and numerical simulations (both fluid and particle-in-cell). These theoretical models will be cross-checked for agreement and convergence.