The mathematical model of an astrophysical jet simulation by the laboratory facility “plasma focus”

Abstract

Abstract. One of the most interesting properties of astrophysical jets is they propagation on the distances, which are many times greater than their diameters. Physical processes being in the basis of that behavior are not clearly understood by us. In addition, the majority of astrophysical parameters cannot be measured and stay unknown. It complicates a verification of any theoretical models.Using of Z-pinch facilities allows to carry out well controlled and well monitored experiments of laboratory jet investigation with the same scaling parameters as an astrophysical jets. Thereby we are able to observe processes, which are unobtainable for direct astronomical observations. Because of a large nonlinearity of the problem the creating of analytical theory, as a rule, is limited to some qualitative assessments. Therefore numerical simulations play a huge role for studying of dynamics of jets propagation. In this work results of numerical calculations of ideal magnetohydrodynamics equations, which describe jet propagation in PF-3 laboratory facility, are presented. We have made conclusions about parameters, influencing on collimated jet moving through ambient plasma. Differences of dynamics between single jet and continuous flow of matter have been discussed.