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Abstract:

Supernova remnants (SNR) are the most likely source of galactic cosmic rays (CRs) up to the 'knee' in the spectrum at a few PeV. The theory of diffusive shock acceleration nicely supplies a power law energy distribution with approximately the desired spectral index and with suitably high efficiency. For a SNR blast wave expanding into a typical interstellar magnetic field the predicted maximum CR energy falls short of 1 PeV, but a non-resonant plasma instability allows the CRs themselves to amplify the magnetic field by orders of magnitude to a level capable of accelerating CRs to the knee. © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Abstract:

Based on an analysis of a specific electron trajectory in counter-propagating beams, Bell and Kirk (2008 Phys. Rev. Lett. 101 200403) recently suggested that laboratory lasers may shortly be able to produce significant numbers of electron-positron pairs. We confirm their results using an improved treatment of non-linear Compton scattering in the laser beams. Implementing an algorithm that integrates classical electron trajectories, we then examine a wide range of laser pulse shapes and polarizations. We find that counter-propagating, linearly polarized beams, with either aligned or crossed orientation, are likely to initiate a pair avalanche at intensities of approximately 10²⁴ W cm^-2 per beam. The same result is found by modelling one of the beams as a wave reflected at the surface of an overdense solid. © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Abstract:

Prolific electron-positron pair production is possible at laser intensities approaching 10;{24} W cm;{-2} at a wavelength of 1 mum. An analysis of electron trajectories and interactions at the nodes (B=0) of two counterpropagating, circularly polarized laser beams shows that a cascade of gamma rays and pairs develops. The geometry is generalized qualitatively to linear polarization and laser beams incident on a solid target.

Abstract:

Cosmic ray acceleration may occur at a supernova shock expanding into a circumstellar wind. Self-similar solutions for the cosmic ray distribution are derived firstly when diffusion is isotropic and secondly when the wind sustains a magnetic field in the form of a Parker spiral. © 2008 World Scientific Publishing Company.

Abstract:

Massive stars undergo a violent death when the supply of nuclear fuel in their cores is exhausted, resulting in a catastrophic "core-collapse" supernova. Such events are usually only detected at least a few days after the star has exploded. Observations of the supernova SNLS-04D2dc with the Galaxy Evolution Explorer space telescope reveal a radiative precursor from the supernova shock before the shock reached the surface of the star and show the initial expansion of the star at the beginning of the explosion. Theoretical models of the ultraviolet light curve confirm that the progenitor was a red supergiant, as expected for this type of supernova. These observations provide a way to probe the physics of core-collapse supernovae and the internal structures of their progenitor stars.