Viscous, resistive MHD stability computed by spectral techniques
Expansions in Chebyshev polynomials are used to study the linear stability of one dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) quasi-equilibria, in the presence of finite resistivity and viscosity. The method is modeled on the one used by Orszag in accurate computation of solutions of the Orr-Sommerfeld equation. Two Reynolds like numbers involving Alfven speeds, length scales, kinematic viscosity, and magnetic diffusivity govern the stability boundaries, which are determined by the geometric mean of the two Reynolds like numbers. Marginal stability curves, growth rates versus Reynolds like numbers, and growth rates versus parallel wave numbers are exhibited. A numerical result which appears general is that instability was found to be associated with inflection points in the current profile, though no general analytical proof has emerged. It is possible that nonlinear subcritical three dimensional instabilities may exist, similar to those in Poiseuille and Couette flow.
- Research Organization:
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Hampton, VA (USA). Langley Research Center
- OSTI ID:
- 5650853
- Report Number(s):
- N-8324339; NASA-TM-85318
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Viscous, resistive magnetohydrodynamic stability computed by spectral techniques
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Related Subjects
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
STABILITY
EIGENVECTORS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
FLUID FLOW
MAGNETIC REYNOLDS NUMBER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PLASMA
SHEAR
VISCOSITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
MECHANICS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
REYNOLDS NUMBER
640430* - Fluid Physics- Magnetohydrodynamics