Transrelativistic pair plasmas in AGN jets

Models of relativistic jets filled with ultrarelativistic pair plasma are v ery successful in explaining the broadband radiation of gamma-ray blazars. Assuming that the initial injection and cooling of ultrarelativistic pair p lasma in an AGN jet has occurred, producing the observed high-energy gamma- ray radiation, we investigate the further evolution of the pair plasma as i t continues to move out from the central engine. The effects of thermalizat ion and reacceleration, the emission of pair bremsstrahlung and annihilatio n radiation and the bulk Compton process, and the possible application to M eV blazars are discussed. A model calculation to the special case of PKS 02 08-512 is presented. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V.