Episodic Magnetic Bubbles and Jets: Astrophysical Implications from Laboratory Experiments

TL;DR

This study presents laboratory experiments that simulate episodic magnetic bubble ejections, shedding light on the processes of jet formation, collimation, and evolution in astrophysical environments.

Contribution

First laboratory demonstration of episodic magnetic bubble ejections providing insights into jet acceleration and collimation mechanisms.

Findings

Magnetic bubbles are periodically ejected in experiments.

Ejected bubbles evolve into heterogeneous jets.

Jets propagate within self-collimated magnetic cavities.

Abstract

Collimated outflows (jets) are ubiquitous in the universe appearing around sources as diverse as protostars and extragalactic supermassive blackholes. Jets are thought to be magnetically collimated, and launched from a magnetized accretion disk surrounding a compact gravitating object. We have developed the first laboratory experiments to address time-dependent, episodic phenomena relevant to the poorly understood jet acceleration and collimation region. The experimental results show the periodic ejections of magnetic bubbles naturally evolving into a heterogeneous jet propagating inside a channel made of self-collimated magnetic cavities. The results provide a unique view of the possible transition from a relatively steady-state jet launching to the observed highly structured outflows.