Abstract
We investigate the stability of relativistic jets using three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations. The propagation of relativistic flow that is continuously injected from the boundary of computational domain into a uniform ambient medium is solved. An intriguing finding in our study is that Rayleigh-Taylor and Richtmyer-Meshkov type instabilities grow at the interface between the jet and surrounding medium as a result of spontaneously induced radial oscillating motion. It is powered by in situ energy conversion between the thermal and bulk kinetic energies of the jet. From complementary two-dimensional simulations of transverse structure of the jet, we find the effective inertia ratio of the jet to the surrounding medium determines a threshold for the onset of instabilities. The mixing between light faster jet and slow heavier external matters due to these instabilities causes the deceleration of the jet.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 02005 |
| Journal | EPJ Web of Conferences |
| Volume | 61 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | International Symposium on the Innermost Regions of Relativistic Jets and Their Magnetic Fields - Granada, Spain Duration: 2013 Jun 10 → 2013 Jun 14 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physics and Astronomy(all)