High Jet Efficiency and Simulations of Black Hole Magnetospheres

TL;DR

This paper presents observational evidence that many powerful FR II radio sources have highly efficient jets, extending the maximum efficiency line over four decades of jet power, challenging existing theoretical models.

Contribution

It extends the maximum jet efficiency line across a broad range of jet powers, providing a key observational constraint for black hole jet production theories.

Findings

Many FR II sources have jets with efficiencies up to 25 times their thermal luminosity.

The efficiency line spans four decades of jet power, indicating a fundamental property of jet production.

Current models underpredict jet strength by 2-3 orders of magnitude.

Abstract

This article reports on a growing body of observational evidence that many powerful lobe dominated (FR II) radio sources likely have jets with high efficiency. This study extends the maximum efficiency line (jet power $\approx$ 25 times the thermal luminosity) defined in Fernandes et (2010) so as to span four decades of jet power. The fact that this line extends over the full span of FR II radio power is a strong indication that this is a fundamental property of jet production that is independent of accretion power. This is a valuable constraint for theorists. For example, the currently popular "no net flux" numerical models of black hole accretion produce jets that are 2 to 3 orders of magnitude too weak to be consistent with sources near maximum efficiency.