Nonlinear development of the kink instability in coronal flux tubes

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/168954· OSTI ID:6577298

Craig, I J.D.; Sneyd, A D ^[1]

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1. Waikato Univ., Hamilton (New Zealand)

This paper describes a Lagrangian numerical scheme for simulating nonlinear evolution of ideal MHD equilibria and applies it to an unstable finite Gold-Hoyle flux tube, line-tied to perfectly conducting endplates. The ensuing kink instability develops considerably faster than linear theory would predict, and eventually (over typically 100 Alfven time scales) a new kinked equilibrium is attained in which current sheets appear to be present. Little magnetic energy is lost in the ideal MHD phase, but resistive instabilities in the current sheets could lead to much more explosive energy release. Numerical studies of nonlinear interactions indicate that growth of the unstable kink mode is suppressed by the presence of other modes, which offers a possible explanation of the observed longevity of coronal loops. 22 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6577298
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Vol. 357; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
SOLAR CORONA
KINK INSTABILITY
MAGNETIC FLUX
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
MAGNETIC ENERGY STORAGE
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
SOLAR FLARES
SOLAR PROMINENCES
STABILITY
ATMOSPHERES
ENERGY STORAGE
EQUILIBRIUM
INSTABILITY
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
SIMULATION
SOLAR ACTIVITY
STELLAR ATMOSPHERES
STELLAR CORONAE
STORAGE
640104* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Solar Phenomena