Constraining the physics of relativistic jets with radio through (sub-)millimetre properties of X-ray binaries

• Author / Creator

  Tetarenko, Alexandra Jean

• Astrophysical jets are ubiquitous phenomena in our universe, linked to a wide range of objects, from young stars to black holes. These powerful, highly collimated outflows deposit significant amounts of energy and matter into the surrounding medium, affecting star formation, galaxy evolution, and even the distribution of matter in the universe. However, despite decades of research, our current knowledge of the physics that gives rise to and governs the behaviour of these jets is still extremely limited. Of all the systems that launch jets, X-ray binaries are particularly excellent testbeds, as they evolve through bright outburst phases on rapid timescales of days to months, providing a real-time view of how these jets evolve and interact with their environment.

  In this thesis, I develop a new suite of data reduction, analysis, and modelling techniques to extract unknown jet properties from observational data of X-ray binary jets. In particular, I explore how the jet emission changes with frequency (through the broad-band spectrum), time (through the temporal variability properties and high resolution imaging), and in response to changes in the X-ray emission from the accretion flow (through disc-jet coupling correlations). I also analyze the conditions in regions where these jets are interacting with their local environment. Further, through this work I demonstrate that the relatively untested mm/sub-mm frequency bands provide a unique viewpoint on these jets, and allow us to open up new ways to study jet phenomena across the X-ray binary population.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • radio astronomy
  • multi-wavelength astronomy
  • X-ray binaries
  • accretion
  • submillimetre astronomy
  • black hole physics
  • jets and outflows

• Graduation date

  Fall 2018

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Doctor of Philosophy

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3ZC7S96F

• License

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