The role of kink instability in Poynting-flux dominated jets

Abstract

The role of kink instability in magnetically driven jets is explored through numerical one-dimensional steady relativistic MHD calculations. The instability is shown to have enough time to grow and influence the dynamics of Poynting-flux dominated jets. In the case of AGN jets, the flow becomes kinetic flux dominated at distances larger than ~1000 r_g because of the rapid dissipation of Poynting flux. When applied to GRB outflows, the model predicts more gradual Poynting dissipation and moderately magnetized flow at distances of ~10^{16} cm where the deceleration of the ejecta due to its interaction with the external medium is expected. The energy released by the instability can power the compact ``blazar zone'' emission and the prompt emission of GRB outflows with high radiative efficiencies.