Proton and Electron Acceleration through Magnetic Turbulence in Relativistic Outflows

Abstract

Low frequency electromagnetic turbulence is generated in relativistically outflowing plasma that sweeps up particles from the surrounding environment. Electrons are energized by stochastic gyroresonant acceleration with the turbulence produced by the isotropization of captured protons and charged dust. Protons are accelerated stochastically by the dust-induced turbulence. Analytical solutions for the proton and electron energy distributions are obtained and used to calculate broadband synchrotron emission. The solutions are compared with generic spectral behavior of blazars and gamma-ray bursts. Dust captured by a blast wave can generate turbulence that could accelerate protons to very high energies.