Formation of episodic jets and associated flares from black hole accretion systems

TL;DR

This study uses 3D general relativistic magnetohydrodynamical simulations to explore how magnetic reconnection in black hole accretion flows leads to episodic jet formation and flares, matching observations.

Contribution

It demonstrates the physical mechanism of flux rope ejection via magnetic reconnection in accretion flows, confirming prior theoretical models with simulation evidence.

Findings

Flux ropes form inside 10-15 gravitational radii and are mostly contained within the flow.

Flux ropes formed beyond this radius are ejected, creating episodic jets.

Predicted ejection velocities and flare periods match observations of Sgr A*, M87, and other sources.

Abstract

Episodic ejections of blobs (episodic jets) are widely observed in black hole sources and usually associated with flares. In this paper, by performing and analyzing three dimensional general relativity magnetohydrodynamical numerical simulations of accretion flows, we investigate their physical mechanisms. We find that magnetic reconnection occurs in the accretion flow, likely due to the turbulent motion and differential rotation of the accretion flow, resulting in flares and formation of flux ropes. Flux ropes formed inside of 10-15 gravitational radii are found to mainly stay within the accretion flow, while flux ropes formed beyond this radius are ejected outward by magnetic forces and form the episodic jets. These results confirm the basic scenario proposed in Yuan et al.(2009). Moreover, our simulations find that the predicted velocity of the ejected blobs is in good consistency with observations of Sgr A*, M81, and M87. The whole processes are found to occur quasi-periodically, with the period being the orbital time at the radius where the flux rope is formed. The predicted period of flares and ejections is consistent with those found from the light curves or image of Sgr A*, M87, and PKS 1510-089. The possible applications to protostellar accretion systems are discussed.