Theoretical Investigations of Relativistic Jets and Extragalactic Radio Sources

AST 95-29175 PI：Mitchell Begelman 相对论喷流和河外射电源的理论研究 河外射电源中相对论性喷流的性质--它们的速度、成分和内部能量--可以通过研究它们对扰动的反应来获得线索。这种扰动是由大自然以激波、与周围辐射场的相互作用和流体动力学不稳定性的形式提供的。 从无线电到伽马射线的所有波长的观测现在都提供了关于这些扰动的形态、运动和辐射特性的详细信息。这项研究的目的是将这些扰动的物理特征与它们的观测特征联系起来，并确定喷流与周围气体在不断演变的茧中的相互作用如何影响河外射电源的演变和外观。将建立粒子在相对论斜激波中加速的模型。将研究辐射阻力对喷流磁加速度的影响，以及阻力是否会引发激波。

AST 95-29175 PI: Mitchell Begelman Theoretical Investigations of Relativistic Jets and Extragalactic Radio Sources Clues to the nature of relativistic jets in extragalactic radio sources--to their speed, composition, and internal energy content--can be obtained by studying how they respond to disturbances. Such disturbances are provided by Nature, in the form of shocks, interactions with the ambient radiation field, and hydrodynamic instabilities. Observations, at all wavelengths from radio to gamma-rays, are now providing detailed information about the morphologies, motions, and radiative properties of these disturbances. This investigation is aimed at relating the physical character of these disturbances to their observational signatures, and determining how the interactions of jets with the gas surrounding it in an evolving cocoon affect the evolution and appearance of extragalactic radio sources. Models will be developed for particle acceleration at relativistic oblique shocks. The effects of radiation drag on the magnetic acceleration of jets, and whether the drag can trigger shocks, will be investigated.