Wheeler equation in Kerr background and astrophysical jet collimation

TL;DR

This paper extends the Wheeler equation to Kerr spacetime, providing an exact solution that models astrophysical jet collimation through wave behavior influenced by spacetime rotation, supporting previous numerical and theoretical findings.

Contribution

It introduces an exact solution of the Wheeler equation in Kerr background that describes jet collimation via wave dynamics, linking spacetime rotation to jet focusing.

Findings

Wave collimation increases with faster rotation.

Supports intrinsic jet collimation via Penrose-like processes.

Aligns with previous theoretical and numerical studies.

Abstract

The Wheeler equation has an extension in the Kerr background. It has an exact solution representing a running harmonic wave in the tortoise coordinate. The wave models astrophysical jets in a new light because it collimates along the axis of spacetime rotation, increasingly tightly when rotation quickens. The model endorses a previous numerical work suggesting intrinsic collimation of jet fuelled by a Penrose-like process. It also endorses a previous theoretical work to crop one-way running waves from the exact solutions to Heun's equation.