Particle acceleration studies in Astrophysical Jets (Jets_DSA)

Diffusive shock acceleration is the most established mechanism to accelerate particles in astrophysical sources where shocks are present. The main uncertainties are the minimum and maximum energy of accelerated particles, having them important implications for the still unsolved injection problem and the origin of the Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays, respectively. To shed light on these problems, we will perform semi-analytic and numerical studies of particle acceleration in plasmas with different conditions, in jets from Active Galactic Nuclei and massive protostars. We will compute the spectrum of accelerated particles and the emission that they produce to make predictions for the forthcoming radio (SKA) and gamma-ray (CTA) telescopes. Finally, after suitable scaling, our results will be considered to design laboratory experiments with the new generation of PW lasers, where it is possible to create collisionless shocks and turbulent amplification of magnetic fields, both topical issues in the study of particle acceleration in astrophysical sources.