Modeling the Galactic Center Nonthermal Filaments as Magnetized Wakes

We simulate the Galactic Center nonthermal filaments as magnetized wakesformed dynamically from amplification of a weak (tens of $\mu$G) globalmagnetic field through the interaction of molecular clouds with a GalacticCenter wind. One of the key issues in this cometary model is the stability ofthe filament against dynamical disruption. Here we show 2-dimensional MHDsimulations for interstellar conditions that are appropriate for the GalacticCenter. The structures eventually disrupt through a shear driven nonlinearinstability but maintain coherence for lengths up to 100 times their width asobserved. The final instability, which destroys the filament through shreddingand plasmoid formation, grows quickly in space (and time) and leads to anabrupt end to the structure, in accord with observations. As a by-product, thesimulation shows that emission should peak well downstream from the cloud-windinteraction site.Comment: postscript file, 7 figs (included); Accepted for publication in ApJ (Part 1