53 research outputs found
General Relativistic Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations of Black Hole Accretion Disks
Observations are providing increasingly detailed quantitative information
about the accretion flows that power such high energy systems as X-ray binaries
and active galactic nuclei. Analytic models of such systems must rely on
assumptions such as regular flow geometry and a simple, parameterized stress.
Global numerical simulations offer a way to investigate the basic physical
dynamics of accretion flows without these assumptions. For black hole accretion
studies one solves the equations of general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics.
Magnetic fields are of fundamental importance to the structure and evolution of
accretion disks because magnetic turbulence is the source of the anomalous
stress that drives accretion. We have developed a three-dimensional general
relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulation code to evolve time-dependent
accretion systems self-consistently. Recent global simulations of black hole
accretion disks suggest that the generic structure of the accretion flow is
usefully divided into five regimes: the main disk, the inner disk, the corona,
the evacuated funnel, and the funnel wall jet. The properties of each of these
regions are summarized.Comment: invited review at the conference "Stellar-mass, Intermediate-mass,
and Supermassive Black Holes", held in Kyoto, Japan, Octorber 28-31, 2003, to
be published in Progress of Theoretical Physics Supplemen
Magnetically Driven Accretion Flows in the Kerr Metric II: Structure of the Magnetic Field
We present a detailed analysis of the magnetic field structure found in
general relativistic 3D MHD simulations of accreting tori in the Kerr metric
with different black hole spins. Among the properties analyzed are the field
strength as a function of position and black hole spin, the shapes of field
lines, the degree to which they connect different regions, and their degree of
tangling. We investigate prior speculations about the structure of the magnetic
fields and discuss how frequently certain configurations are seen in the
simulations. We also analyze the distribution of current density, with a view
toward identifying possible locations for magnetic energy dissipation.Comment: Submitted to ApJ. PDF and PostScript files with high-resolution
figures are available at http://www.pha.jhu.edu/~shirose/GRMHD/PaperII
Relativistic MHD and black hole excision: Formulation and initial tests
A new algorithm for solving the general relativistic MHD equations is
described in this paper. We design our scheme to incorporate black hole
excision with smooth boundaries, and to simplify solving the combined Einstein
and MHD equations with AMR. The fluid equations are solved using a finite
difference Convex ENO method. Excision is implemented using overlapping grids.
Elliptic and hyperbolic divergence cleaning techniques allow for maximum
flexibility in choosing coordinate systems, and we compare both methods for a
standard problem. Numerical results of standard test problems are presented in
two-dimensional flat space using excision, overlapping grids, and elliptic and
hyperbolic divergence cleaning.Comment: 22 pages, 8 figure
Foundations of Black Hole Accretion Disk Theory
This review covers the main aspects of black hole accretion disk theory. We
begin with the view that one of the main goals of the theory is to better
understand the nature of black holes themselves. In this light we discuss how
accretion disks might reveal some of the unique signatures of strong gravity:
the event horizon, the innermost stable circular orbit, and the ergosphere. We
then review, from a first-principles perspective, the physical processes at
play in accretion disks. This leads us to the four primary accretion disk
models that we review: Polish doughnuts (thick disks), Shakura-Sunyaev (thin)
disks, slim disks, and advection-dominated accretion flows (ADAFs). After
presenting the models we discuss issues of stability, oscillations, and jets.
Following our review of the analytic work, we take a parallel approach in
reviewing numerical studies of black hole accretion disks. We finish with a few
select applications that highlight particular astrophysical applications:
measurements of black hole mass and spin, black hole vs. neutron star accretion
disks, black hole accretion disk spectral states, and quasi-periodic
oscillations (QPOs).Comment: 91 pages, 23 figures, final published version available at
http://www.livingreviews.org/lrr-2013-
Astrophysical turbulence modeling
The role of turbulence in various astrophysical settings is reviewed. Among
the differences to laboratory and atmospheric turbulence we highlight the
ubiquitous presence of magnetic fields that are generally produced and
maintained by dynamo action. The extreme temperature and density contrasts and
stratifications are emphasized in connection with turbulence in the
interstellar medium and in stars with outer convection zones, respectively. In
many cases turbulence plays an essential role in facilitating enhanced
transport of mass, momentum, energy, and magnetic fields in terms of the
corresponding coarse-grained mean fields. Those transport properties are
usually strongly modified by anisotropies and often completely new effects
emerge in such a description that have no correspondence in terms of the
original (non coarse-grained) fields.Comment: 88 pages, 26 figures, published in Reports on Progress in Physic
Gravitating discs around black holes
Fluid discs and tori around black holes are discussed within different
approaches and with the emphasis on the role of disc gravity. First reviewed
are the prospects of investigating the gravitational field of a black
hole--disc system by analytical solutions of stationary, axially symmetric
Einstein's equations. Then, more detailed considerations are focused to middle
and outer parts of extended disc-like configurations where relativistic effects
are small and the Newtonian description is adequate.
Within general relativity, only a static case has been analysed in detail.
Results are often very inspiring, however, simplifying assumptions must be
imposed: ad hoc profiles of the disc density are commonly assumed and the
effects of frame-dragging and completely lacking. Astrophysical discs (e.g.
accretion discs in active galactic nuclei) typically extend far beyond the
relativistic domain and are fairly diluted. However, self-gravity is still
essential for their structure and evolution, as well as for their radiation
emission and the impact on the environment around. For example, a nuclear star
cluster in a galactic centre may bear various imprints of mutual star--disc
interactions, which can be recognised in observational properties, such as the
relation between the central mass and stellar velocity dispersion.Comment: Accepted for publication in CQG; high-resolution figures will be
available from http://www.iop.org/EJ/journal/CQ
Theory of disk accretion onto supermassive black holes
Accretion onto supermassive black holes produces both the dramatic phenomena
associated with active galactic nuclei and the underwhelming displays seen in
the Galactic Center and most other nearby galaxies. I review selected aspects
of the current theoretical understanding of black hole accretion, emphasizing
the role of magnetohydrodynamic turbulence and gravitational instabilities in
driving the actual accretion and the importance of the efficacy of cooling in
determining the structure and observational appearance of the accretion flow.
Ongoing investigations into the dynamics of the plunging region, the origin of
variability in the accretion process, and the evolution of warped, twisted, or
eccentric disks are summarized.Comment: Mostly introductory review, to appear in "Supermassive black holes in
the distant Universe", ed. A.J. Barger, Kluwer Academic Publishers, in pres
Theory of magnetically powered jets
The magnetic theory for the production of jets by accreting objects is
reviewed with emphasis on outstanding problem areas. An effort is made to show
the connections behind the occasionally diverging nomenclature in the
literature, to contrast the different points of view about basic mechanisms,
and to highlight concepts for interpreting the results of numerical
simulations. The role of dissipation of magnetic energy in accelerating the
flow is discussed, and its importance for explaining high Lorentz factors. The
collimation of jets to the observed narrow angles is discussed, including a
critical discussion of the role of `hoop stress'. The transition between disk
and outflow is one of the least understood parts of the magnetic theory; its
role in setting the mass flux in the wind, in possible modulations of the mass
flux, and the uncertainties in treating it realistically are discussed. Current
views on most of these problems are still strongly influenced by the
restriction to 2 dimensions (axisymmetry) in previous analytical and numerical
work; 3-D effects likely to be important are suggested. An interesting problem
area is the nature and origin of the strong, preferably highly ordered magnetic
fields known to work best for jet production. The observational evidence for
such fields and their behavior in numerical simulations is discussed. I argue
that the presence or absence of such fields may well be the `second parameter'
governing not only the presence of jets but also the X-ray spectra and timing
behavior of X-ray binaries.Comment: 29 pages. Publication delays offered the opportunity for further
corrections, an expansion of sect 4.2, and one more Fig. To appear in
Belloni, T. (ed.): The Jet Paradigm - From Microquasars to Quasars, Lect.
Notes Phys. 794 (2009
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