Magnetic Field Curvature and Its Role in Particle Acceleration by Relativistic Turbulence

Relativistic magnetized turbulence is ubiquitous in a variety of astrophysical environments and plays a critical role in governing particle energization. Numerous studies have shown that turbulence naturally produces energetic, non-thermal particles, but the exact mechanisms responsible for their efficient acceleration remain poorly understood. In recent years, the curvature of magnetic field lines, leading to the curvature drift acceleration mechanism, has emerged as a candidate for playing an important role in the particle acceleration process. In this talk, we will discuss the role of magnetic curvature drift in particle energization using fully kinetic simulations of relativistic turbulence. We also present results showing how the efficiency of the curvature drift mechanism depends on the strength of the guide magnetic field. These findings offer new insights into the microphysics governing particle acceleration in a wide range of high-energy astrophysical environments.