Physics Graduate Student Seminar with Mehrnoosh Rahbardar Mojaver on You can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can’t PIC black hole physics

Blazars, a particular subclass of AGNs, stand out as exceptionally intriguing. They are distinguished by the orientation of their relativistic jets, which point directly towards us, the observers. This alignment makes Blazars an ideal laboratory for studying high-energy astrophysical processes. The emissions from Blazars exhibit distinct spectral features characterized by two humps, which provide important insights into the dominant role of synchrotron radiation and inverse Compton scattering in their emission mechanisms. Polarimetry, the study of polarization in the radiation from Blazars, is another valuable tool for understanding the inner workings of these objects. It helps unravel the complex magnetic field structures within their relativistic jets and provides clues about the acceleration processes at play. One of the key mechanisms contributing to the high-energy particle acceleration in AGNs and Blazar jets is the kink instability in the plasma surrounding the black hole. This instability leads to the development of helical structures in the jets, which can significantly enhance the particle acceleration and radiation processes. Understanding the kink instability is essential for a comprehensive grasp of AGN and Blazar physics. To replicate the intricate dynamics and particle acceleration in the turbulent, magnetized plasma environments of AGNs and Blazars, I employ Particle in Cell (PIC) simulations. These simulations are grounded in first-principle kinetic modeling and are invaluable for investigating the behavior of particles within the extreme conditions of these astrophysical jets.