6533b82bfe1ef96bd128d887

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Stability of three-dimensional relativistic jets: implications for jet collimation

Michał HanaszJosé María CelaF. RubioR. De La CruzJose Manuel MartíManel PeruchoManel Perucho

subject

High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena (astro-ph.HE)PhysicsWork (thermodynamics)Jet (fluid)Astrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical PhenomenaFOS: Physical sciencesAstronomy and AstrophysicsContext (language use)MechanicsAstrophysicsStability (probability)GalaxyCollimated lightAstrophysical jetSpace and Planetary ScienceAstrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical PhenomenaShear flow

description

The stable propagation of jets in FRII sources is remarkable if one takes into account that large-scale jets are subjected to potentially highly disruptive three-dimensional (3D) Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities. Numerical simulations can address this problem and help clarify the causes of this remarkable stability. Following previous studies of the stability of relativistic flows in two dimensions (2D), it is our aim to test and extend the conclusions of such works to three dimensions. We present numerical simulations for the study of the stability properties of 3D, sheared, relativistic flows. This work uses a fully parallelized code Ratpenat that solves equations of relativistic hydrodynamics in 3D. The results of the present simulations confirm those in 2D. We conclude that the growth of resonant modes in sheared relativistic flows could be important in explaining the long-term collimation of extragalactic jets.

https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/200913012