Particle Acceleration in Pulsar Wind Nebulae: PIC modelling
Abstract
We discuss the role of particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations in unveiling the origin of the emitting particles in PWNe. After describing the basics of the PIC technique, we summarize its implications for the quiescent and the flaring emission of the Crab Nebula, as a prototype of PWNe. A consensus seems to be emerging that, in addition to the standard scenario of particle acceleration via the Fermi process at the termination shock of the pulsar wind, magnetic reconnection in the wind, at the termination shock and in the Nebula plays a major role in powering the multi-wavelength signatures of PWNe.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.1705.10815,
title = {Particle Acceleration in Pulsar Wind Nebulae: PIC modelling},
author = {Lorenzo Sironi and Benoit Cerutti},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1705.10815},
year = {2017}
}
Comments
32 pages, 16 figures, to appear in the book "Modelling Nebulae" edited by D. Torres for Springer, based on the invited contributions to the workshop held in Sant Cugat (Barcelona), June 14-17, 2016