Magnetic field structure of relativistic jets without current sheets

Abstract

We present an analytical class of equilibrium solutions for the structure of relativistic sheared and rotating magnetized jets that contain no boundary current sheets. We demonstrate the overall dynamical stability of these solutions and, most importantly, a better numerical resistive stability than the commonly employed force-free structures which inevitably require the presence of dissipative surface currents. The jet is volumetrically confined by the external pressure, with no pressure gradient on the surface. We calculate the expected observed properties of such jets. Given the simplicity of these solutions, we suggest them as useful initial conditions for relativistic jet simulations. © 2011 The Authors Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society © 2011 RAS.