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  • Open Access

Particle Acceleration in Collisionless Magnetically Arrested Disks

Jesse Vos1,*, Benoît Cerutti2, Monika Mościbrodzka1, and Kyle Parfrey3

  • *Contact author: jt.vos@astro.ru.nl
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Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 015201 – Published 2 July, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/5wwb-7t2n

Abstract

We present the first collisionless realization of two-dimensional axisymmetric black hole accretion consistent with a persistent magnetically arrested disk state. The accretion flow, consisting of an ion-electron disk plasma combined with magnetospheric pair creation effects, is simulated using first-principles general-relativistic particle-in-cell methods. The simulation is evolved over significant dynamical timescales during which a quasisteady accretion state is reached with several magnetic flux eruption cycles. We include a realistic treatment of inverse Compton scattering and pair production, which allows for studying the interaction between the collisionless accretion flow and pair-loaded jet. Our findings indicate that magnetic flux eruptions associated with equatorial magnetic reconnection within the black hole magnetosphere and the formation of spark gaps are locations of maximal particle acceleration. Flux eruptions, starting near the central black hole, can trigger Kelvin-Helmholtz-like vortices at the jet-disk interface that facilitate efficient mixing between disk and jet plasma in this region. Transient periods of increased pair production following magnetic flux eruptions and reconnection events are responsible for most of the highly accelerated particles.

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Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 015201– Published 2 July, 2025
  • Received 25 October 2024
  • Revised 10 March 2025
  • Accepted 14 May 2025
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