Date of Completion
5-16-2025
Degree Type
Honors Thesis - Campus Access
Discipline
Physics (PHYS)
First Advisor
Jonas Mureika
Abstract
This research aims to investigate the influence of magnetic field configurations and black hole spin on accretion flow dynamics and relativistic jet formation using numerical simulations in General Relativistic Magnetohydrodynamics (GRMHD). Utilizing state-of-the-art computational frameworks such as Athena++ and HARM, our study will simulate plasma behavior in the strong gravity regime near black holes. Different initial magnetic field topologies, including uniform, toroidal, and poloidal magnetic fields, will be examined in conjunction with varying black hole spin parameters to understand how these factors impact energy transport and jet formation. We will validate our simulations through comparison with observational data from the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), providing insights into the mechanisms that govern these high-energy astrophysical phenomena. Our results are expected to enhance theoretical understanding of jet production and contribute to the broader field of black hole astrophysics.
Recommended Citation
Stanford, Madison and Mureika, Jonas, "General Relativistic Magnetohydrodynamics of Accretion Flow about Black Holes" (2025). Honors Thesis. 596.
https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/honors-thesis/596
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