Adiabatic–radiative shock systems in YSO jets and novae outflows

Abstract

Context. The termination regions of non-relativistic jets in protostars and supersonic outflows in classical novae are non-thermal emitters. This has been confirmed by radio and gamma-ray detection, respectively. A two-shock system is expected to be formed in the termination region where the jet, or the outflow material, and the ambient medium impact. Radiative shocks are expected to form in these systems given their high densities. However, in the presence of high velocities, the formation of adiabatic shocks is also possible. A case of interest is when the two types of shocks occur simultaneously. Adiabatic shocks are more efficient at particle acceleration while radiative shocks strongly compress the gas. Furthermore, a combined adiabatic–radiative shock system is very prone to developing instabilities in the contact discontinuity, leading to mixing, turbulence, and density enhancement. Additionally, these dense non-relativistic jets and outflows are excellent candidates for laboratory experiments as demonstrated by magnetohydrodynamics scaling. Aims. We aim to study the combination of adiabatic and radiative shocks in protostellar jets and novae outflows. We focus on determining the conditions under which this combination is feasible together with its physical implications. Methods. We performed an analytical study of the shocks in both types of sources for a set of parameters by comparing cooling times and propagation velocities. We also estimated the timescales for the growth of instabilities in the contact discontinuity separating both shocks. We studied the hydrodynamical evolution of a jet colliding with an ambient medium with 2D numerical simulations, confirming our initial theoretical estimates. Results. We show that for a wide set of observationally constrained parameters, the combination of an adiabatic and a radiative shock is possible at the working surface of the termination region in jets from young stars and novae outflows. We find that instabilities are developed at the contact discontinuity, mixing the shocked materials. Additionally, we explore the magnetohydrodynamic parameter scaling required for studying protostellar jets and novae outflows using laboratory experiments on laser facilities. Conclusions. The coexistence of an adiabatic and a radiative shock is expected at the termination region of protostellar jets and novae outflows. This scenario is very promising for particle acceleration and gamma-ray emission. The parameters for scaled laboratory experiments are very much in line with plasma conditions achievable in currently operating high-power laser facilities. This provides a new means for studying novae outflows that has never been considered before.