Relativistic Jets from Black Holes: A Unified Picture

Abstract

The current understanding of the formation of powerful bi-directional jets in systems such as radio galaxies and quasars is that the process involves a supermassive black hole that is being fed with magnetized gas through an orbiting accretion disc. In this paper we discuss the dynamics of the jet powered by rotating black holes, in the presence of a magnetic field, including the scaling of the jet length and their typical time scales. We consider a unified picture covering all phenomena involving jets and rotating black holes ranging from gamma ray bursts to extragalactic jets and discuss the relevant scaling laws. We have also discussed the acceleration of the particles in jets and consequent synchrotron and inverse Compton radiations. Accelerated protons from jets as possible sources of high energy cosmic rays are also discussed.