Adiabatic expansion and magnetic fields in AGN jets

TL;DR

This paper analyzes high-resolution VLBA polarimetric observations of AGN jets to test if adiabatic expansion dominates shock evolution and to study magnetic field configurations.

Contribution

It provides a comparison between observed jet features and model predictions, focusing on adiabatic expansion and magnetic field structure in AGN jets.

Findings

Adiabatic expansion is a significant mechanism in jet shock evolution.

Magnetic field configurations are consistent with model predictions.

VLBA polarimetric data supports the theoretical framework for jet dynamics.

Abstract

Results of high-resolution simultaneous multi-frequency 8.1-15.4 GHz VLBA polarimetric observations of relativistic jets in active galactic nuclei (the MOJAVE-2 project) are analyzed. We compare characteristics of VLBI features with jet model predictions and test if adiabatic expansion is a dominating mechanism for the evolution of relativistic shocks in parsec-scale AGN jets. We also discuss magnetic field configuration, both predicted by the model and deduced from electric vector position angle measurements.