NBIA Seminar: Martin Lemoine

(IAP Paris)

Shock waves in the very high energy Universe

The acceleration of particles to very high energies in powerful
astrophysical sources with relativistic outflows, such as pulsar
winds, microquasars, active galactic nuclei and gamma-ray bursts
represents a central question in modern high energy astrophysics and
astroparticle physics.  In a generic model, particles are accelerated
at a relativistic shock wave and then radiate in the ambient magnetic
or radiation fields. Our understanding of the physics of particle
acceleration at relativistic shock waves has progressed substantially
in the past decade. This talk will discuss these aspects, and in
particular when and how particle acceleration can take place at
relativistic shock waves, and what signatures can be expected. This
talk will also discuss connections with the origin of the highest
energy cosmic rays.