Tchekhovskoy, Alexander

Relativistic Jet Formation by Spinning Black Holes

Recent advances in computer modeling allow us to simulate the production of relativistic jets by accreting black holes in unprecedented detail.  For the first time, the simulations allow us to determine the maximum power with which spinning black holes can produce relativistic jets and measure the dependence of this maximum jet power on black hole spin.  Further, I will describe the new results on the production of jets by black holes whose rotational axis is tilted relative to the direction of the angular momentum of the infalling material.  Finally, I will discuss how these advances improve our ability to probe observationally the physics of the central engine.