Relativistic jet feedback in high-redshift galaxies I: Dynamics

TL;DR

This study uses 3D relativistic hydrodynamic simulations to explore how AGN jets interact with dense, turbulent interstellar media in high-redshift galaxies, revealing effects on ISM structure and outflows.

Contribution

It provides new insights into jet-ISM interactions at high redshift, highlighting the different impacts of low and high power jets on galaxy evolution.

Findings

Low power jets are trapped longer in the ISM, affecting larger volumes.

High power jets drill through the ISM more easily.

Relativistic jets generate multi-phase ISM and radial outflows.

Abstract

We present the results of three dimensional relativistic hydrodynamic simulations of interaction of AGN jets with a dense turbulent two-phase interstellar medium, which would be typical of high redshift galaxies. We describe the effect of the jet on the evolution of the density of the turbulent ISM. The jet driven energy bubble affects the gas to distances up to several kiloparsecs from the injection region. The shocks resulting from such interactions create a multi-phase ISM and radial outflows. One of the striking result of this work is that low power jets (P_jet < 10^{43} erg/s) although less efficient in accelerating clouds, are trapped in the ISM for a longer time and hence affect the ISM over a larger volume. Jets of higher power drill through with relative ease. Although the relativistic jets launch strong outflows, there is little net mass ejection to very large distances, supporting a galactic fountain scenario for local feedback.