Particle acceleration timescales in relativistic shear flows

Abstract

We review the acceleration of energetic particles in relativistic astrophysical jets characterized by a significant velocity shear. The possible formation of power-law momentum spectra is discussed and typical acceleration timescales are determined for a variety of different conditions such as parallel and azimuthal shear flows. Special attendance is given to the analysis of parallel shear flows with either a linear decreasing or a Gaussian-type velocity profile. It is shown that in the presence of a gradual shear flow and a particle mean free path scaling with the gyroradius, synchrotron radiation losses may no longer be able to stop the acceleration once it has started to work efficiently. Finally, the relevance of shear acceleration in small- and large-scale relativistic jets is addressed.