Synchrotron emission from shocked relativistic jets. I - The theory of radio-wavelength variability and its relation to superluminal motion

Citations Over TimeTop 10% of 1989 papers

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (150) References (27) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Synchrotron Emission from Shocked Relativistic Jets. I. The Theory of Radio-Wavelength Variability and Its Relation to Superluminal Motion Hughes, P. A. ; Aller, H. D. ; Aller, M. F. Abstract We summarize the theory of the transfer of polarized radiation in a synchrotron plasma of arbitrary optical depth, and the theory of plane shock waves with relativistic flow velocity and equation of state. We then describe the construction of a computer code that utilizes these theories to study the properties of the radiation from shocked, parsec-scale extragalactic jets. Runs of this code with "example" shock patterns show that both the appearance of superluminal VLBI sources and the characteristics of the total and polarized flux evolution of variable compact sources may be understood in terms of one shock, or a sequence of closely spaced shocks, propagating along a diverging flow. We argue that multiple-shock events may be a common feature of such sources. The interpretation of VLBI maps is discussed. We note that, in this model, the "core-knot" separation is frequency-dependent, the knot may sometimes be brighter than the core, and, because of the multiplicity of components, infrequent mapping can lead to apparent contractions and accelerations. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: June 1989 DOI: 10.1086/167471 Bibcode: 1989ApJ...341...54H Keywords: Polarized Radiation; Radiative Transfer; Radio Jets (Astronomy); Shock Waves; Synchrotron Radiation; Very Long Base Interferometry; Mach Number; Scintillation; Astrophysics; GALAXIES: JETS; POLARIZATION; RADIATION MECHANISMS; SHOCK WAVES full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (6) NED (6) Related Materials (2) Part 2: 1989ApJ...341...68H Part 3: 1991ApJ...374...57H

Related Papers

• → Multiepoch Very Long Baseline Array Observations of EGRET‐detected Quasars and BL Lacertae Objects: Superluminal Motion of Gamma‐Ray Bright Blazars(2001)365 cited
• → Simulations of superluminal radio sources(1997)140 cited
• Hydrodynamical simulations of relativistic jets(1994)
• → GRMHD Simulations and Modeling for Jet Formation and Acceleration Region in AGNs(2022)33 cited
• → Deceleration of relativistic jets(2003)11 cited