Modeling Poynting flux vs. kinetic-energy dominated jets

TL;DR

This paper uses 3D-MHD simulations to compare Poynting flux dominated jets with kinetic-energy jets, analyzing their evolution, stability, and emission characteristics.

Contribution

It introduces detailed 3D-MHD simulations of PFD jets and compares their behavior with kinetic-energy jets under similar energy flux conditions.

Findings

Cooling amplifies current-driven perturbations and kinking.

Rotation enhances toroidal magnetic fields, increasing kink instability.

Cooling weakens shocks and thermal pressure support.

Abstract

We present 3D-MHD AMR simulations of Poynting flux dominated (PFD) jets formed by injection of magnetic energy. We compare their evolution with a hydrodynamic jet which is formed by injecting kinetic energy with the same energy flux than the PFD jets. We predict characteristic emission distributions for each of these jets. Current-driven perturbations in PFD jets are amplified by both cooling and rotation for the regimes studied: Shocks and thermal pressure support are weakened by cooling, making the jets more susceptible to kinking. Rotation amplifies the toroidal magnetic field which also exacerbates the kink instability.