Relativistic jets in active galactic nuclei: Importance of magnetic fields

Abstract

We present a theoretical model for powering relativistic jets in Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) from the accretion flow power, which can be increased by the power coming from the spindown of the black hole (BH). The BH rotational energy is transferred to the accretion disk through closed magnetic field lines that connect them. Adding these two energy sources, the accreting mass flow energy and the rotational energy, we derive the jets-launching power, as well as the efficiency of the jets drive for both the Eddington accretion rate and low accretion rates. In the case of low accretion rates, the efficiency of the jets drive can reach unity, that means almost all of the power used to drive the jets comes from the BH rotational energy. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.