A Two-dimensional Simulation of a Relativistic Jet Bent by an Oblique Magnetic Field

We have investigated a relativistic jet injected into an oblique magnetic Ðeld in a slab geometry using a newly developed relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulation code. The simulation code employs a simpliÐed total variation diminishing method. We compare the nonrelativistic and relativistic jets to Ðnd the relativistic e†ects when the jet propagates across the oblique magnetic Ðeld. Numerical results show that both the nonrelativistic and relativistic jets are bent by the oblique magnetic Ðeld. However, the relativistic jet is weakly bent compared to the nonrelativistic one. We try to express the bending scale detected in the simulation with a simple model and Ðnd good agreement between them. We apply the results to the explanation of the bending of the extragalactic jets. Subject headings : galaxies : jets È galaxies : magnetic Ðelds È methods : numerical È MHD È relativity