Radiative Penrose process: Energy gain by a single radiating charged particle in the ergosphere of rotating black hole

We demonstrate an extraordinary effect of energy gain by a single radiating charged particle inside the ergosphere of a Kerr black hole in presence of magnetic field. We solve numerically the covariant form of the Lorentz-Dirac equation reduced from the DeWitt-Brehme equation and analyze energy evolution of the radiating charged particle inside the ergosphere, where the energy of emitted radiation can be negative with respect to a distant observer in dependence on the relative orientation of the magnetic field, black hole spin and the direction of the charged particle motion. Consequently, the charged particle can leave the ergosphere with energy greater than initial in expense of black hole's rotational energy. In contrast to the original Penrose process and its various modification, the new process does not require the interactions (collisions or decay) with other particles and consequent restrictions on the relative velocities between fragments. We show that such a radiative Penrose effect is potentially observable and discuss its possible relevance in formation of relativistic jets and in similar high-energy astrophysical settings.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the potential for a radiative Penrose effect in which a charged particle inside the ergosphere of a Kerr black hole may gain energy greater than its initial energy, with implications for the formation of relativistic jets and similar high-energy astrophysical phenomena. The new process described does not require interactions with other particles or restrictions on relative velocities between fragments, unlike the original Penrose process.