Numerical simulations of thin accretion discs with PLUTO

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the use of the PLUTO code to perform high-resolution, grid-based simulations of thin accretion discs around compact objects, focusing on hydrodynamical regimes with numerical viscosity.

Contribution

It introduces a methodology for simulating thin accretion discs around neutron stars and black holes using the PLUTO code with pseudo-Newtonian potential in a hydrodynamical setting.

Findings

Successful simulation of thin accretion discs with PLUTO

Validation of numerical viscosity effects in the model

Foundation for future magnetohydrodynamical simulations

Abstract

Our goal is to perform global simulations of thin accretion discs around compact bodies like neutron stars with dipolar magnetic profile and black holes by exploiting the facilities provided by state-of-the-art grid-based, high resolution shock capturing (HRSC) and finite volume codes. We have used the Godunov-type code PLUTO to simulate a thin disc around a compact object prescribed with a pseudo-Newtonian potential in a purely hydrodynamical (HD) regime, with numerical viscosity as a first step towards achieving our goal as mentioned above.