MAGNETIC FIELD RELAXATION AND CURRENT SHEETS IN AN IDEAL PLASMA

Journal Article · Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 2015 · Astrophysical Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/808/2/134· OSTI ID:22525654

Candelaresi, S.; Pontin, D. I.; Hornig, G. ^[1]

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1. Division of Mathematics, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4HN (United Kingdom)

We investigate the existence of magnetohydrostatic equilibria for topologically complex magnetic fields. The approach employed is to perform ideal numerical relaxation experiments. We use a newly developed Lagrangian relaxation scheme that exactly preserves the magnetic field topology during the relaxation. Our configurations include both twisted and sheared fields, of which some fall into the category for which Parker predicted no force-free equilibrium. The first class of field considered contains no magnetic null points, and field lines connect between two perfectly conducting plates. In these cases, we observe only resolved current layers of finite thickness. In further numerical experiments, we confirm that magnetic null points are loci of singular currents.

• OSTI ID: 22525654
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 808, Issue 2; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTROPHYSICS
COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY
EQUILIBRIUM
LAGRANGIAN FUNCTION
LAYERS
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PLASMA
PLASMA SHEET
PLATES
RELAXATION
SHEAR
SUN
TOPOLOGY