Response to 'Comment on 'Variational principles for stationary one- and two-fluid equilibria of axisymmetric laboratory and astrophysical plasmas'' [Phys. Plasmas 12, 064701 (2005)]
- FOM-Institute for Plasma Physics 'Rijnhuizen', 3439 MN Nieuwegein (Netherlands) and Astronomical Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht (Netherlands)
Contrary to the Comment by McClements and Thyagaraja that the two-fluid equations for stationary axisymmetric equilibria are easier to deal with numerically than the corresponding ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) equations, since they resolve the Alfven singularity of the latter whereas transonic transitions do not create substantial numerical difficulties, the opposite proposition is maintained. The numerical solution of the single (MHD) or two (two-fluid) Bernoulli equations already eliminates the Alfven singularity, but it presents major complications (such as the possible nonexistence, multiplicity, and hyperbolicity of the solutions) in the construction of stationary equilibria that are accurate enough to permit spectral analysis of the waves and instabilities of those equilibria. Furthermore, it is shown that imposing charge neutrality on the two-fluid equations not only obscures the solution procedure of the two independent Bernoulli equations but also eliminates the possibility of a self-consistent description of the charge imbalances that occur in rotating and gravitating astrophysical plasmas, such as Goldreich-Julian charges in magnetospheres of pulsars and massive black holes.
- OSTI ID:
- 20764355
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 12, Issue 6; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.1922107; (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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