Detailed analysis of fan-shaped jets in three dimensional numerical simulation

We performed three dimensional resistive magnetohydrodynamic simulations to study the magnetic reconnection using an initially shearing magnetic field configuration(force free field with a current sheet in the middle of the computational box).It is shown that there are two types of reconnection jets:the ordinary reconnection jets and fan-shaped jets,which are formed along the guide magnetic field.The fan-shaped jets are significantly different from the ordinary reconnection jets which are ejected by magneti...     

Experimental Studies of Magnetically Driven Plasma Jets

We present experimental results on the formation of supersonic, radiatively cooled jets driven by pressure due to the toroidal magnetic field generated by the 1.5 MA, 250 ns current from the MAGPIE generator. The morphology of the jet produced in the experiments is relevant to astrophysical jet scenarios in which a jet on the axis of a magnetic cavity is collimated by a toroidal magnetic field as it expands into the ambient medium. The jets in the experiments have similar Mach number, plasma beta and cooling parameter to those in protostellar jets. Additionally the Reynolds, magnetic Reynolds and Peclet numbers are much larger than unity, allowing the experiments to be scaled to astrophysical flows. The experimental configuration allows for the generation of episodic magnetic cavities, suggesting that periodic fluctuations near the source may be responsible for some of the variability observed in astrophysical jets. Preliminary measurements of kinetic, magnetic and Poynting energy of the jets in our experiments are presented and discussed, together with estimates of their temperature and trapped toroidal magnetic field.     

Formation of episodic magnetically driven radiatively cooled plasma jets in the laboratory

We report on experiments in which magnetically driven radiatively cooled plasma jets were produced by a 1 MA, 250 ns current pulse on the MAGPIE pulsed power facility. The jets were driven by the pressure of a toroidal magnetic field in a “magnetic tower” jet configuration. This scenario is characterized by the formation of a magnetically collimated plasma jet on the axis of a magnetic “bubble”, confined by the ambient medium. The use of a radial metallic foil instead of the radial wire arrays employed in our previous work allows for the generation of episodic magnetic tower outflows which emerge periodically on timescales of ～30 ns. The subsequent magnetic bubbles propagate with velocities reaching ～300 km/s and interact with previous eruptions leading to the formation of shocks.     

The X-Ray Emission of the Centaurus A Jet

The extended nonthermal X-ray emission of extragalactic jets like Centaurus A can only be explained by in situ particle acceleration. The only energy source in the entire jet region is the magnetic field. Magnetic reconnection can convert the free energy stored in the helical configuration to particle kinetic energy. In the collisionless magnetized jet plasma, the inertia-driven reconnection is operating in a highly filamentary magnetic flux rope, and this results in a continuously charged particle acceleration. The synchrotron radiation of these particles can cause the observed X-ray emission in Centaurus A.     

MHD Simulations of Relativistic Jets

In a series of time dependent numerical simulations we have performed a parameter study of magnetised relativistic jets. We have found that the impact of the magnetic field on the morphology of a jet depends strongly on the configuration of the field.     

Simulations of small-scale explosive events on the Sun

Small-scale explosive events or microflares occur throughout the chromospheric network of the Sun. They are seen as sudden bursts of highly Doppler-shifted spectral lines of ions formed at temperatures in the range 2×104–5×105 K. They tend to occur near regions of cancelling photospheric magnetic fields and are thought to be directly associated with magnetic field reconnection. Recent observations have revealed that they have a bi-directional jet structure reminiscent of Petschek reconnection. In this paper compressible MHD simulations of the evolution of a current sheet to a steady Petschek, jet-like configuration are computed using the Versatile Advection Code. We obtain velocity profiles that can be compared with recent ultraviolet line-profile observations. By choosing initial conditions representative of magnetic loops in the solar corona and chromosphere, it is possible to explain the fact that jets flowing outward into the corona are more extended and appear before jets flowing towards the chromosphere. This model can reproduce the high Doppler-shifted components of the line profiles, but the brightening at low velocities, near the center of the bi-directional jet, cannot be explained by this simple MHD model.     

Using intense lasers to simulate aspects of accretion discs and outflows in astrophysics

It is shown that some aspects of the accretion disc physics can be experimentally simulated with the use of an array of properly directed plasma jets created by intense laser beams. For the laser energy of 1 to 3 kJ, one can create a quasi-planar disc with the Reynolds number exceeding 10⁴ and magnetic Reynolds number in the range of 10–100. The way of seeding the disc with the magnetic field by using a cusp magnetic configuration is described.     

On the central core in MHD winds and jets

We analytically determine the structure of highly magnetized astrophysical jets at the origin in a region where the flow has been already collimated by an external medium, in both relativistic and non-relativistic regimes. We show that this can be achieved by solving a system of first-order ordinary differential equations that describe the transversal jet structure for a variety of external confining pressure profiles that collimate the jet to a near-cylindrical configuration. We obtain solutions for a central jet surrounded either by a self-similar wind or by an external pressure profile and derive the dependence of the velocity and the magnetic field strength along and across our jets. In particular, we find that the central core in a jet – the part of a flow with a nearly homogeneous magnetic field – must contain a poloidal field which is not much smaller than the critical value B _min. This allows us to determine the magnetic flux in a core which is much smaller than the total magnetic flux. We show that for such a small core flux the solutions with a magnetic field in a core much smaller than B _min are non-physical. For astrophysical objects the value of the critical magnetic field is quite large: 1 G for active galactic nuclei, 10¹⁰ G for gamma-ray bursts and 10⁻¹ G for young stellar objects. In a relativistic case for the core field greater than or of the order of B _min we show analytically that the plasma Lorentz factor must grow linearly with the cylindrical radius. For non-relativistic highly magnetized jets we propose that an oblique shock exists near the base of the jet so that the finite gas pressure plays an important role in force balance.     

A dynamo driven by zonal jets at the upper surface: Applications to giant planets

We present a dynamo mechanism arising from the presence of barotropically unstable zonal jet currents in a rotating spherical shell. The shear instability of the zonal flow develops in the form of a global Rossby mode, whose azimuthal wavenumber depends on the width of the zonal jets. We obtain self-sustained magnetic fields at magnetic Reynolds numbers greater than 10³. We show that the propagation of the Rossby waves is crucial for dynamo action. The amplitude of the axisymmetric poloidal magnetic field depends on the wavenumber of the Rossby mode, and hence on the width of the zonal jets. We discuss the plausibility of this dynamo mechanism for generating the magnetic field of the giant planets. Our results suggest a possible link between the topology of the magnetic field and the profile of the zonal winds observed at the surface of the giant planets. For narrow Jupiter-like jets, the poloidal magnetic field is dominated by an axial dipole whereas for wide Neptune-like jets, the axisymmetric poloidal field is weak.     

Magnetic Field Properties of Solar X-Ray Jets

From a list of X-ray jets made by Shimojo et al. (1996), we selected events for which there were magnetic field data from NSO/Kitt Peak. Using co-aligned SXT and magnetograms, we examined the magnetic field properties of X-ray jets. We found that 8% of the jets studied occurred at a single pole (SP), 12% at a bipole (BP), 24% in a mixed polarity (MP) and 48% in a satellite polarity (ST). If the satellite polarity region is the same as the mixed polarity region, 72% of the jets occurred at the (general) mixed polarity region.We also investigated the magnetic evolution of jet-producing areas in active regions NOAA 7067, NOAA 7270, and NOAA 7858. It is found that X-ray jets favored regions of evolving magnetic flux (increasing or decreasing).     

Acceleration of charged particles in the magnetosphere of a collapsing star and their nonthermal electromagnetic radiation

We investigate a transformation of a magnetic field and plasma in nonhomogeneous magnetospheres of collapsing stars with a dipole initial magnetic field and certain initial energy distributions of particles in the magnetosphere as the power low, relativistic Maxwell and Boltzmann. The betatron mechanism of the charged particles acceleration in a collapsing star’s magnetosphere is considered. When a magnetized star is compressed in the stage of the gravitational collapse, the magnetic field increases strongly. This variable magnetic field generates a vortical electric field. Our calculations show that this electric field will accelerate charged particles up to relativistic velocities. Thus, collapsing stars may be sources of high energy cosmic rays in our galaxy as in others. The acceleration of particles during the collapse happens mostly in polar regions of the magnetosphere that leads to polar relativistic streams (jets) formation. When moving in a magnetic field, these particles will generate nonthermal electromagnetic radiation in a broad electromagnetic wavelength band from radioto gamma rays. Thus, in the stage of the gravitational collapse, relativistic jets are formed in stellar magnetospheres. These jets are powerful sources of the nonthermal electromagnetic radiation.     

Reviving the stalled shock by jittering jets in core collapse supernovae: jets from the standing accretion shock instability

I present a scenario by which an accretion flow with alternating angular momentum on to a newly born neutron star in a core collapse supernova(CCSN) efficiently amplifies magnetic fields and by that launches jets. The accretion flow of a collapsing core on to the newly born neutron star suffers spiral standing accretion shock instability(SASI). This instability leads to a stochastically variable angular momentum of the accreted gas, which in turn forms an accretion flow with alternating directions of the angular momentum, and hence alternating shear, at any given time. I study the shear in this alternating-shear sub-Keplerian inflow in published simulations, and present a new comparison with Keplerian accretion disks. From that comparison I argue that it might be as efficient as Keplerian accretion disks in amplifying magnetic fields by a dynamo. I suggest that although the average specific angular momentum of the accretion flow is small,namely, sub-Keplerian, this alternating-shear accretion flow can launch jets with varying directions, namely,jittering jets. Neutrino heating is an important ingredient in further energizing the jets. The jittering jets locally revive the stalled accretion shock in the momentarily polar directions, and by that they explode the star. I repeat again my call for a paradigm shift from a neutrino-driven explosion of CCSNe to a jet-driven explosion mechanism that is aided by neutrino heating.     

Oscillations in solar jets observed with the SOT of Hinode: viscous effects during reconnection

Transverse oscillatory motions and recurrence behavior in the chromospheric jets observed by Hinode/SOT are studied. A comparison is considered with the behavior that was noticed in coronal X-ray jets observed by Hinode/XRT. A jet like bundle observed at the limb in Ca II H line appears to show a magnetic topology that is similar to X-ray jets (i.e., the Eiffel tower shape). The appearance of such magnetic topology is usually assumed to be caused by magnetic reconnection near a null point. Transverse motions of the jet axis are recorded but no clear evidence of twist is appearing from the highly processed movie. The aim is to investigate the dynamical behavior of an incompressible magnetic X-point occurring during the magnetic reconnection in the jet formation region. The viscous effect is specially considered in the closed line-tied magnetic X-shape nulls. We perform the MHD numerical simulation in 2-D by solving the visco-resistive MHD equations with the tracing of velocity and magnetic field. A qualitative agreement with Hinode observations is found for the oscillatory and non-oscillatory behaviors of the observed solar jets in both the chromosphere and the corona. Our results suggest that the viscous effect contributes to the excitation of the magnetic reconnection by generating oscillations that we observed at least inside this Ca II H line cool solar jet bundle.     

Numerical simulations of relativistic magnetized jets

The propagation of light highly relativistic jets carrying a toroidal magnetic field is studied numerically. The results show that jets with high Poynting flux develop the conspicuous nose cones discovered earlier in simulations of classical magnetized jets. The size of the nose cone is significantly reduced in kinetic energy-dominated jets, which develop extensive cocoons. The magnetic field nevertheless plays a significant role in the jet–cocoon dynamics by allowing self-confined flows. The results are explained in terms of the properties of perpendicular magnetohydrodynamic shocks.     

Magnetic-Tower Jet Solution for Launching Astrophysical Jets

In spite of the large number of global three-dimensional (3-D) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of accretion disks and astrophysical jets, which have been developed since 2000, the launching mechanisms of jets is somewhat controversial. Previous studies of jets have concentrated on the effect of the large-scale magnetic fields permeating accretion disks. However, the existence of such global magnetic fields is not evident in various astrophysical objects, and their origin is not well understood. Thus, we study the effect of small-scale magnetic fields confined within the accretion disk. We review our recent findings on the formation of jets in dynamo-active accretion disks by using 3-D MHD simulations. In our simulations, we found the emergence of accumulated azimuthal magnetic fields from the inner region of the disk (the so-called magnetic tower) and also the formation of a jet accelerated by the magnetic pressure of the tower. Our results indicate that the magnetic tower jet is one of the most promising mechanisms for launching jets from the magnetized accretion disk in various astrophysical objects. We will discuss the formation of cosmic jets in the context of the magnetic tower model.     

Jet confinement by magneto-torsional oscillations

Many quasars and active galactic nuclei (AGN) appear in radio, optical, and X-ray maps, as a bright nuclear sources from which emerge single or double long, thin jets. When observed with high angular resolution these jets show structure with bright knots separated by relatively dark regions. Nonthermal nature of a jet radiation is well explained as the synchrotron radiation of the relativistic electrons in an ordered magnetic field. We consider magnetic collimation, connected with torsional oscillations of a cylinder with elongated magnetic field, and periodically distributed initial rotation around the cylinder axis. The stabilizing azimuthal magnetic field is created here by torsional oscillations, where charge separation is not necessary. Approximate simplified model is developed. Ordinary differential equation is derived, and solved numerically, what gives a possibility to estimate quantitatively the range of parameters where jets may be stabilized by torsional oscillations.     

Dynamic confinement of jets by magnetotorsional oscillations

Many quasars and active galactic nuclei (AGN) appear in radio, optical and X-ray maps as bright nuclear sources from which emerge single or double long, thin jets. When observed with high angular resolution, these jets show evidence of structure, with bright knots separated by relatively dark regions. High percentages of polarization, sometimes more then 50 per cent, indicate the non-thermal nature of the radiation, which is well explained as the synchrotron radiation of the relativistic electrons in an ordered magnetic field.
A strong collimation of jets is probably connected with ordered magnetic fields. The mechanism of magnetic collimation first suggested by Bisnovatyi-Kogan et al. was based on the initial charge separation, which led to the creation of an oscillating electrical current, which in turn produced an azimuthal magnetic field, preventing jet expansion and disappearance. Here we consider magnetic collimation associated with the torsional oscillations of a cylinder with an elongated magnetic field. Instead of initial blobs with charge separation, we consider a cylinder with a periodically distributed initial rotation around the cylinder axis. The stabilizing azimuthal magnetic field is created by torsional oscillations, meaning that charge separation is unnecessary. An approximate simplified model is developed, and an ordinary differential equation is derived and solved numerically, making it possible to estimate quantitatively the range of parameters for which jets may be stabilized by torsional oscillations.     

旋涡星系中旋臂的维持

为了避开旧物质臂理论中旋臂的缠绕困难，本文提出了旋涡星系的循环假设，并在文中提供了旋涡星系的双臂、气体层反卷、银河系中旋臂物质径向向内的速度分量和棒旋星系中棒物质沿着棒向内的流动等观测证据，进而还尝试利用此循环假设去解释旋臂物质的平自转曲线和棒旋星系的棒结构等的成因。     

Dynamics and collisions of episodic jets from black holes and accretion disk systems

In many astrophysical black hole systems, episodic jets of plasma blobs have been observed, which are much faster and more powerful than continuous jets. A magnetohydrodynamical model was proposed by Yuan et al. to study the formation of episodic jets in Sgr A*. By taking Sgr A* and a stellar mass black hole as examples, we modify the model of Yuan et al. by including the effects of relativity, and further study the relativistic motion and expansion of episodic jets of plasma blobs. Then we study the collision between two consecutive ejections in the modified model, and calculate the magnetic energy released in the collision. Our results show two consecutive blobs can collide with each other, and the released magnetic energy is more than 1050 erg,which supports the idea that a gamma-ray burst is powered by the collision of episodic jets, as suggested by Yuan & Zhang.     

Effect of expansion and magnetic field configuration on mass entrainment of jets

We investigate the growth of jet plus entrained mass in simulations of supermagnetosonic cylindrical and expanding jets. The entrained mass spatially grows in three stages: from an initially slow spatial rate to a faster rate and finally at a flatter rate. These stages roughly coincide with the similar rates of expansion in simulated radio intensity maps, and also appear related to the growth of the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability through linear, nonlinear, and saturated regimes. In the supermagnetosonic cylindrical jets, we found that a jet with an embedded primarily toroidal magnetic field is more stable than a jet with a primarily axial magnetic field. Also, pressure-matched expanding jets are more stable and entrain less mass than cylindrical jets with equivalent inlet conditions. We investigate the growth of jet plus entrained mass in simulations of supermagnetosonic cylindrical and expanding jets. The entrained mass spatially grows in three stages: from an initially slow spatial rate to a faster rate and finally at a flatter rate. These stages roughly coincide with the similar rates of expansion in simulated radio intensity maps, and also appear related to the growth of the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability through linear, nonlinear, and saturated regimes. In the supermagnetosonic cylindrical jets, we found that a jet with an embedded primarily toroidal magnetic field is more stable than a jet with a primarily axial magnetic field. Also, pressure-matched expanding jets are more stable and entrain less mass than cylindrical jets with equivalent inlet conditions.