Compton rockets: radiative acceleration of a relativistic fluid

Unless a plasma moves at relativistic bulk speeds, the Compton radiative lifetime for relativistic electrons near a luminous object is less than the transit time from the source. Acceleration by adiabatic decompression is too slow to preserve much of the electrons' energy. However, the Compton-rocket thrust and the radiatively induced pressure gradient can accelerate a relativistic fluid to relativistic bulk speeds on a time scale comparable to that for radiative loss. Consequently, severe Compton losses are not only reduced by relativistic bulk motion, but can in fact effect such motion. (Auth.)