Collimated Outflow Formation via Binary Stars: Three-Dimensional Simulations of Asymptotic Giant Branch Wind and Disk Wind Interactions

• Published in: The Astrophysical journal Vol. 600; no. 2; pp. 992 - 1003
• Main Authors: García-Arredondo, F, Frank, Adam
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: IOP Publishing 10-01-2004
• ISSN: 0004-637X; 1538-4357
• DOI: 10.1086/379821

We present three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations of the interaction of a slow wind from an asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star and a jet blown by an orbiting companion. The jet or "collimated fast wind" is assumed to originate from an accretion disk that forms via Bondi accretion of the AGB wind or Roche lobe overflow. We present two distinct regimes in the wind-jet interaction determined by the ratio of the AGB wind to jet momentum flux. Our results show that when the wind momentum flux overwhelms the flux in the jet, a more disordered outflow results with the jet assuming a corkscrew pattern and multiple shock structures driven into the AGB wind. In the opposite regime, the jet dominates and will drive a highly collimated, narrow-waisted outflow. We compare our results with scenarios described by Soker & Rappaport and extrapolate to the structures observed in planetary nebulae (PNs) and symbiotic stars.