3D MHD interactions of jets with cluster media

Abstract

As an initial step in a program to examine the interactions of AGN jets with magnetized cluster media, we have carried out high resolution, 3D MHD medium-to-high luminosity jet simulations in both uniform and stratified, cluster-like atmospheres extending over distances similar to 200 kpc. The steady jets asymptotically deposit approximately 1/2 of their power into ambient thermal energy, almost independent of the jet Mach number or the external density gradient. Nearly 1/4 of the jet power goes directly into irreversible, dissipative heating of the ICM. The remaining energy is mostly stored in the jet backflow cocoon. Magnetic energy introduced by the jet is generally amplified, especially by sheared flows. We also examined the dynamical evolution of the jets and their cocoons, comparing them to simple analytic models. (c) 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim