On current sheets in two-dimensional ideal magnetohydrodynamics caused by pressure perturbations
- Institut fuer Theoretische Physik IV, Ruhr-Universitaet Bochum, 44780 Bochum (Germany)
In this paper it is shown that in ideal magnetohydrodynamics (IMHD) a two-dimensional equilibrium with an X-shaped neutral point (X-point) configuration reacts to small and smooth perturbations of the plasma pressure by the development of sheets with singular current density while the X-point structure is replaced by a different kind of configuration containing either cusp-like or T-shaped singularities. This behavior is demonstrated by computing the time dependent response to a suitable initial perturbation using a relaxation method within ideal MHD. The two-dimensional configurations considered in this paper are motivated by models of space plasma systems like, e.g. the Earth's magnetotail containing a distant X-point where perturbations caused by the solar wind may force the formation of current sheets and the subsequent occurrence of magnetic reconnection.
- OSTI ID:
- 6640064
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas; (United States), Vol. 1:10; ISSN 1070-664X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
PLASMA PRESSURE
CURRENT DENSITY
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MAGNETOTAIL
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
EQUILIBRIUM
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
MECHANICS
700370* - Plasma Fluid & MHD Properties- (1992-)
700340 - Plasma Waves
Oscillations
& Instabilities- (1992-)