High-Resolution Three-dimensional Simulations of Relativistic Jets

We have performed high-resolution three-dimensional simulations of relativistic jets with beam-flow Lorentz factors of up to 7, a spatial resolution of 8 cells per beam radius, and up to 75 normalized time units in order to study the morphology and dynamics of three-dimensional relativistic jets. Our simulations show that the coherent fast backflows found in axisymmetric models are not present in three-dimensional models. We further find that when the jet is exposed to nonaxisymmetric perturbations, (1) it does not display the strong perturbations found for three-dimensional classical hydrodynamic and MHD jets (at least during the period of time covered by our simulations) and (2) it does propagate according to the one-dimensional estimate. Small three-dimensional effects in the relativistic beam give rise to a lumpy distribution of apparent speeds like that observed in M87. The beam is surrounded by a boundary layer of high specific internal energy. The properties of this layer are briefly discussed.