A model for predicting extragalactic jet lifetimes

In this letter, we propose a model to explain the disintegration of extragalactic jets and to predict the associated timescale. The model assumes that a jet is current and charge neutral as well as collimated at its source; however, the forward electron current gradually decays producing a magnetic field transverse to the direction of jet propagation. This growing transverse magnetic field eventually causes the jet to disintegrate.