International School of Cosmic Ray Astrophysics

14^th  Course: "Neutrinos and Explosive Events in the Universe"

A NATO Advanced Study Institute

 2-13 July 2004
Ettore Majorana Centre
Erice, Sicily, Italy

Topic: Diffusive Shock Acceleration: an Introduction
Lecturer: Michal Ostrowski

The diffusive shock acceleration theory was developed in years 70th and 80th of the last century. The theory valid for non-relativistic shocks describes - in its test particle version - a power-law cosmic ray spectrum formation depending on a very few free parameters.  Modifications to this simple picture can be introduced by non-linearity of the process required for efficient cosmic ray production. During the lecture I will present the acceleration process in its test particle version and selected simple non-linear models. I will also briefly mention variants of the model discussed in the recent literature.

Useful reviews for reading:
Drury L.O'C., 1983, Rep.Prog.Phys., 46, 973
Blandford R.D., Eichler D., 1987, Phys. Rep. 154, 1