Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2004-01-22
ApJ, 2003, v. 596, L159-L162
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
4 pages, 1 figure
Scientific paper
10.1086/379622
A model is developed for relativistic Poynting jets from the inner region of a disk around a rotating black hole. The disk is initially threaded by a dipole-like magnetic field. The model is derived from the special relativistic equation for a force-free electromagnetic field. The ``head'' of the Poynting jet is found to propagate outward with a velocity which may be relativistic. The Lorentz factor of the head (Gamma) is found to be dependent on the magnetic field strength close to the black hole, B_0, the density of the external medium n_ext, and on the ratio R=r_0/r_g >1, where r_g is the gravitational radius of the black hole, and r_0 is the radius of the O-point of the initial dipole field threading the disk. For conditions pertinent to an active galactic nuclei, Gamma is approximately equal to 8 (10/R)^(1/3) (B_0/10^3 Gauss)^(1/3) (1/cm^3/n_ext)^(1/6). This model offers an explanation for the observed Lorentz factors which are of the order of 10 for the parsec-scale radio jets measured with very long baseline interferometry.
Lovelace Richard V. E.
Romanova Marina M.
No associations
LandOfFree
Relativistic Poynting Jets from Accretion Disks does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Relativistic Poynting Jets from Accretion Disks, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Relativistic Poynting Jets from Accretion Disks will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-7291