A structure and energy dissipation efficiency of relativistic reconfinement shocks

We present a semi-analytical hydrodynamical model for the structure of reconfinement shocks formed in astrophysical relativistic jets interacting with external medium. We take into account exact conservation laws, both across the shock front and in the zone of the shocked matter, and exact angular r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 2009-01, Vol.392 (3), p.1205-1210
Main Authors: Nalewajko, Krzysztof, Sikora, Marek
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astronomy
Astrophysics
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Fluid mechanics
galaxies: jets
Kinetics
shock waves
Stars & galaxies
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Summary:We present a semi-analytical hydrodynamical model for the structure of reconfinement shocks formed in astrophysical relativistic jets interacting with external medium. We take into account exact conservation laws, both across the shock front and in the zone of the shocked matter, and exact angular relations. Our results confirm a good accuracy of the approximate formulae derived by Komissarov & Falle. However, including the transverse pressure gradient in the shocked jet, we predict an absolute size of the shock to be about twice larger. We calculate the efficiency of the kinetic energy dissipation in the shock and show a strong dependence on both the bulk Lorentz factor and opening angle of the jet.
ISSN:0035-8711
1365-2966
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2008.14123.x