Abstract: We present a new method how to discriminate the matter content of parsec-scale jets of active galactic nuclei. By constraining the kinetic luminosity of a jet from the observed core size at a single very long baseline interferometry frequency, we can infer the electron density of a radio-emitting component as a function of the composition. Comparing this density with that obtained from the theory of synchrotron self-absorption, we can determine the composition. We apply this procedure to the five components in the 3C~345 jet and find that they ...
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Topics: 
Astrophysics
Astronomy