Physics of Gamma-Ray Bursts Prompt Emission

Figure 16

Results of an electromagnetic particle in cell (PIC) simulation TRISTAN-MP show the structure of the reconnection layer (a) and the accelerated particle distribution function (b). (a) Structure of the reconnection layer. Shown are the particle densities (A), (B), magnetic energy fraction (C), and mean kinetic energy per particle (D). The plasmoids are clearly seen. (b) Temporal evolution of particle energy spectrum. The spectrum at late times resembles a power law with slope (dotted red line) and is clearly departed from a Maxwellian. The dependence of the spectrum on the magnetization is shown in the inset. Figure is taken from Sironi and Spitkovsky [330].

(a)

(b)