104 research outputs found
The Propagation of Magneto-Centrifugally Launched Jets: I
We present simulations of the propagation of magnetized jets. This work
differs from previous studies in that the cross-sectional distributions of the
jets's state variables are derived from analytical models for
magneto-centrifugal launching. The source is a magnetized rotator whose
properties are specfied as boundary conditions. The jets in these simulations
are considerably more complex than the ``top-hat''constant density etc.
profiles used in previous work. We find that density and magnetic field
stratification (with radius) in the jet leads to new behavior including the
separation of an inner jet core from a low density collar. We find this {\it
jet within a jet} structure, along with the magnetic stresses, leads to
propagation behaviors not observed in previous simulation studies. Our
methodology allows us to compare MHD jets from different types of sources whose
properties could ultimately be derived from the behavior of the propagating
jets.Comment: 42 pages, accepted by the Ap
Plasma physics in clusters of galaxies
Clusters of galaxies are the largest self-gravitating structures in the
universe. Each cluster is filled with a large-scale plasma atmosphere, in which
primordial matter is mixed with matter that has been processed inside stars.
This is a wonderful plasma physics laboratory. Our diagnostics are the data we
obtain from X-ray and radio telescopes. The thermal plasma is a strong X-ray
source; from this we determine its density and temperature. Radio data reveal a
relativistic component in the plasma, and first measurements of the
intracluster magnetic field have now been made. Energization of the particles
and the field must be related to the cosmological evolution of the cluster. The
situation is made even richer by the few galaxies in each cluster which host
radio jets. In these galaxies, electrodynamics near a massive black hole in the
core of the galaxy lead to a collimated plasma beam which propagates from the
nucleus out to supergalactic scales. These jets interact with the cluster
plasma to form the structures known as radio galaxies. The interaction disturbs
and energizes the cluster plasma. This complicates the story but also helps us
understand both the radio jets and the cluster plasma.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, 3 in color. Invited review, to appear in Physics
of Plasmas, May 2003. After publication it can be found at
http://ojps.aip.org/po
Structure and Stability of Keplerian MHD Jets
MHD jet equilibria that depend on source properties are obtained using a
simplified model for stationary, axisymmetric and rotating magnetized outflows.
The present rotation laws are more complex than previously considered and
include a Keplerian disc. The ensuing jets have a dense, current-carrying
central core surrounded by an outer collar with a return current. The
intermediate part of the jet is almost current-free and is magnetically
dominated. Most of the momentum is located around the axis in the dense core
and this region is likely to dominate the dynamics of the jet. We address the
linear stability and the non-linear development of instabilities for our models
using both analytical and 2.5-D numerical simulation's. The instabilities seen
in the simulations develop with a wavelength and growth time that are well
matched by the stability analysis. The modes explored in this work may provide
a natural explanation for knots observed in astrophysical jets.Comment: 35 pages, accepted by the Ap
Dynamics and Structure of Three-Dimensional Trans-Alfvenic Jets. II. The Effect of Density and Winds
Two three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamical simulations of strongly
magnetized conical jets, one with a poloidal and one with a helical magnetic
field, have been performed. In the poloidal simulation a significant sheath
(wind) of magnetized moving material developed and partially stabilized the jet
to helical twisting. The fundamental pinch mode was not similarly affected and
emission knots developed in the poloidal simulation. Thus, astrophysical jets
surrounded by outflowing winds could develop knotty structures along a straight
jet triggered by pinching. Where helical twisting dominated the dynamics,
magnetic field orientation along the line-of-sight could be organized by the
toroidal flow field accompanying helical twisting. On astrophysical jets such
structure could lead to a reversal of the direction of Faraday rotation in
adjacent zones along a jet. Theoretical analysis showed that the different
dynamical behavior of the two simulations could be entirely understood as a
result of dependence on the velocity shear between jet and wind which must
exceed a surface Alfven speed before the jet becomes unstable to helical and
higher order modes of jet distortion.Comment: 25 pages, 15 figures, in press Astrophysical Journal (September
Transit flow models for low and high mass protostars
In this work, the gas infall and the formation of outflows around low and
high mass protostars are investigated. A radial self-similar approach to model
the transit of the molecular gas around the central object is employed. We
include gravitational and radiative fields to produce heated pressure-driven
outflows with magneto-centrifugal acceleration and collimation. Outflow
solutions with negligible or vanishing magnetic field are reported. They
indicate that thermodynamics is a sufficient engine to generate an outflow. The
magnetized solutions show dynamically significant differences in the axial
region, precisely where the radial velocity and collimation are the largest.
They compare quantitatively well with observations. The influence of the
opacity on the transit solutions is also studied. It is found that, when dust
is not the dominant coolant, such as in the primordial universe, mass infall
rates have substantial larger values in the equatorial region. This suggests
that star forming in a dust-free environment should be able to accrete much
more mass and become more massive than present day protostars.It is also
suggested that molecular outflows may be dominated by the global transit of
material around the protostar during the very early stages of star formation,
especially in the case of massive or dust-free star formation.Comment: 19 pages, 15 figures, accepted by Ap
Stability Properties of Strongly Magnetized Spine Sheath Relativistic Jets
The linearized relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (RMHD) equations describing a
uniform axially magnetized cylindrical relativistic jet spine embedded in a
uniform axially magnetized relativistically moving sheath are derived. The
displacement current is retained in the equations so that effects associated
with Alfven wave propagation near light speed can be studied. A dispersion
relation for the normal modes is obtained. Analytical solutions for the normal
modes in the low and high frequency limits are found and a general stability
condition is determined. A trans-Alfvenic and even a super-Alfvenic
relativistic jet spine can be stable to velocity shear driven Kelvin-Helmholtz
modes. The resonance condition for maximum growth of the normal modes is
obtained in the kinetically and magnetically dominated regimes. Numerical
solution of the dispersion relation verifies the analytical solutions and is
used to study the regime of high sound and Alfven speeds.Comment: 42 pages includes 7 figures, to appear in Ap
A Global Jet/Circulation Model for Young Stars
Powerful, highly collimated jets, surrounded by bipolar molecular outflows,
are commonly observed near Young Stellar Objects (YSOs). In the usual
theoretical picture of star formation, a jet is ejected from a magnetized
accretion disk, with a molecular outflow being driven either by the jet or by a
wider wind coming from the disk. Here, we propose an alternative global model
for the flows surrounding YSOs. In addition to a central accretion-ejection
engine driving the jet, the molecular outflow is powered by the infalling
matter and follows a circulation pattern around the central object without
necessarily being entrained by a jet. It is shown that the model produces a
heated pressure-driven outflow with magneto-centrifugal acceleration and
collimation. We report solutions for the three different parts of this
self-similar model, i.e. the jet, the infalling envelope and the circulating
matter that eventually forms the molecular outflow. This new picture of the
accretion/outflow phase provides a possible explanation for several observed
properties of YSO outflows. The most relevant ones are the presence of high
mass molecular outflows around massive protostars, and a realistic fraction
(typically 0.1) of the accretion flow that goes into the jet.Comment: accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic
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