HYDRODYNAMICAL SIMULATIONS OF RELATIVISTIC JETS

We have performed simulations of relativistic pressure-matched slab je ts with beam Lorentz factors in the range 4.1 to 22.4 using a modem hi gh-resolution shock-capturing technique based on an approximate relati vistic Riemann solver. Our results show that the basic structural comp onents found in Newtonian simulations, i.e. beam, cocoon, working surf ace and bow shock, are also present in relativistic jets. We further f ind that the head of the jet propagates at relativistic speed which de pends on the beam velocity in a very non-linear way, and that relativi stic jets seem to be more stable than Newtonian ones. Finally, our pre liminary results strongly support the necessity of a more detailed stu dy of the morphology and dynamics of relativistic jets.