2007/03/08 by Yosuke Mizuno, Philip Hardee, Ken‐Ichi Nishikawa +1 · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations #Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena #Dust and Plasma Wave Phenomena #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1086/518106
31 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publicatin in ApJ. A paper with high resolution figures available at http://gammaray.nsstc.nasa.gov/~mizuno/research_new.html
arxiv created 2007/03/08 · openalex publication_date 2007/06/12 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
Numerical simulations of weakly and strongly magnetized relativistic jets embedded in a weakly magnetized and strongly magnetized stationary or weakly relativistic ( v = c /2) sheath have been performed. A magnetic field parallel to the flow is used in these simulations performed by the new general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic numerical code RAISHIN used in its relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (RMHD) configuration. In the numerical simulations, the Lorentz factor γ = 2.5 jet is precessed to break the initial equilibrium configuration. In the simulations, sound speeds are ≲ c / in the weakly magnetized simulations and ≲0.3 c in the strongly magnetized simulations. The Alfvén wave speed is ≲0.07 c in the weakly magnetized simulations and ≲0.56 c in the strongly magnetized simulations. The results of the numerical simulations are compared to theoretical predictions from a normal mode analysis of the linearized RMHD equations capable of describing a uniform axially magnetized cylindrical relativistic jet embedded in a uniform axially magnetized relativistically moving sheath. The theoretical dispersion relation allows investigation of effects associated with maximum possible sound speeds, Alfvén wave speeds near light speed, and relativistic sheath speeds. The prediction of increased stability of the weakly magnetized system resulting from c /2 sheath speeds and the stabilization of the strongly magnetized system resulting from c /2 sheath speeds is verified by the numerical simulation results.