Relativistic jet feedback in high-redshift galaxies - I. Dynamics

Mukherjee, Dipanjan; Bicknell, Geoffrey; Sutherland, Ralph; Wagner, Alexander

Relativistic jet feedback in high-redshift galaxies - I. Dynamics

Date

2016

Authors

Mukherjee, Dipanjan

Bicknell, Geoffrey

Sutherland, Ralph

Wagner, Alexander

Publisher

Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Abstract

We present the results of 3D relativistic hydrodynamic simulations of interaction of active galactic nucleus jets with a dense turbulent two-phase interstellar medium, which would be typical of high-redshift galaxies. We describe the effect of the jet on the evolution of the density of the turbulent interstellar medium (ISM). The jet-driven energy bubble affects the gas to distances up to several kiloparsecs from the injection region. The shocks resulting from such interactions create a multiphase ISM and radial outflows. One of the striking result of this work is that low-power jets (Pjet ≲ 1043 ergs-1), although less efficient in accelerating clouds, are trapped in the ISM for a longer time and hence affect the ISM over a larger volume. Jets of higher power drill through with relative ease. Although the relativistic jets launch strong outflows, there is little net mass ejection to very large distances, supporting a galactic fountain scenario for local feedback.