A Lagrangian study of dynamics and singularity formation at magnetic null points in ideal three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics

Journal Article · Fri Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1996 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.871559· OSTI ID:388250

Klapper, I ^[1]; Rado, A; Tabor, M ^[2]

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1. Department of Mathematics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024 (United States)
2. Program in Applied Mathematics, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721 (United States)

The ideal three-dimensional incompressible magnetohydrodynamics equations are analyzed at magnetic null points using a generalization of a method from fluid dynamics. A closed system of ordinary differential equations governing the evolution of traces of matrices associated with the fluid velocity and magnetic field gradients are derived using a model for the pressure Hessian. It is shown rigorously that the eigenvalues of the magnetic field gradient matrix are constant in time and that, in the model, a finite time singularity occurs with characteristics similar to the magnetic field-free case. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}

• DOE Contract Number: FG03-93ER25174
• OSTI ID: 388250
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 3, Issue 11; Other Information: PBD: Nov 1996
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
SINGULARITY
INCOMPRESSIBLE FLOW
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
EIGENVALUES
SOLAR FLARES
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION