Generalization of the Harris current sheet model for non-relativistic, relativistic and pair plasmas

2008 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 749-763 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. BALIKHIN ◽  
M. GEDALIN
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Current Sheet ◽  
Plasma Acceleration ◽  
Relativistic Plasmas ◽  
Special Cases ◽  
Self Consistent ◽  
Astrophysical Objects ◽  
The Magnetic Field

AbstractReconnection is believed to be responsible for plasma acceleration in a large number of space and astrophysical objects. Onset of reconnection is usually related to instabilities of current sheet equilibria. Analytical self-consistent models of an equilibrium current sheet (Harris equilibrium) are known for non-relativistic plasmas and some special cases of relativistic plasmas. We develop a description of generalized Harris equilibria in collisionless non-relativistic and relativistic plasmas. Possible shapes of the magnetic field are analyzed.

MHD stagnation-point flows at a current sheet including viscous and resistive effects: general two-dimensional solutions

1990 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 525-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. D. Phan ◽  
B. U. Ö. Sonnerup
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Current Sheet ◽  
Stagnation Point ◽  
Angle Of Incidence ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Viscous Effects ◽  
Special Cases ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
A Current

Exact solutions are presented of two-dimensional steady-state incompressible stagnation point flows at a current sheet separating two colliding plasmas. They describe the process of resistive field annihilation (zero reconnection) where the magnetic field in each plasma is strictly parallel to the current sheet, but may have different magnitudes and direction on its two sides. The flow in the (x, y) plane toward the current sheet, located at x = 0, may have an arbitrary angle of incidence and an arbitrary amount of divergence from or convergence towards the stagnation point. We find the most general form of the solution for the plasma velocity and for the magnetic field. For the z compenents of the flow and field, solutions in the form of truncating power series in y are found. The cases obtained in this study contain the solutions obtained by Parker, Sonnerup & Priest, Gratton et al. and Besser, Biernat & Rijnbeek as special cases. The role of viscosity in determining the flow and field configurations is examined. When the two colliding plasmas have the same viscosity and density, it is shown that viscous effects usually are important only in strongly divergent or convergent viscous flows with viscous Reynolds number of the order of unity or smaller. For astrophysical applications the viscous Reynolds number is usually high and the effects of viscosity on the interaction of plasmas of similar properties are small. The formulation of the stagnation-point flow problem involving plasmas of different properties is also presented. Sample cases of such flows are shown. Finally, a possible application of the results from this study to the earth's magnetopause is discussed briefly.

scholarly journals No-z Model for Magnetic Fields of Different Astrophysical Objects and Stability of the Solutions

Data ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Evgeny Mikhailov ◽  
Daniela Boneva ◽  
Maria Pashentseva
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Accretion Discs ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Astrophysical Objects ◽  
Alpha Effect ◽  
The Stability ◽  
The Magnetic Field

A wide range of astrophysical objects, such as the Sun, galaxies, stars, planets, accretion discs etc., have large-scale magnetic fields. Their generation is often based on the dynamo mechanism, which is connected with joint action of the alpha-effect and differential rotation. They compete with the turbulent diffusion. If the dynamo is intensive enough, the magnetic field grows, else it decays. The magnetic field evolution is described by Steenbeck—Krause—Raedler equations, which are quite difficult to be solved. So, for different objects, specific two-dimensional models are used. As for thin discs (this shape corresponds to galaxies and accretion discs), usually, no-z approximation is used. Some of the partial derivatives are changed by the algebraic expressions, and the solenoidality condition is taken into account as well. The field generation is restricted by the equipartition value and saturates if the field becomes comparable with it. From the point of view of mathematical physics, they can be characterized as stable points of the equations. The field can come to these values monotonously or have oscillations. It depends on the type of the stability of these points, whether it is a node or focus. Here, we study the stability of such points and give examples for astrophysical applications.

scholarly journals Solar wind and substorm excitation of the wavy current sheet

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 2457-2474 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Forsyth ◽  
M. Lester ◽  
R. C. Fear ◽  
E. Lucek ◽  
I. Dandouras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Current Sheet ◽  
Pressure Pulse ◽  
Wind Pressure ◽  
Expansion Velocity ◽  
Solar Wind Pressure ◽  
Wave Models ◽  
Best Fit ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. Following a solar wind pressure pulse on 3 August 2001, GOES 8, GOES 10, Cluster and Polar observed dipolarizations of the magnetic field, accompanied by an eastward expansion of the aurora observed by IMAGE, indicating the occurrence of two substorms. Prior to the first substorm, the motion of the plasma sheet with respect to Cluster was in the ZGSM direction. Observations following the substorms show the occurrence of current sheet waves moving predominantly in the −YGSM direction. Following the second substorm, the current sheet waves caused multiple current sheet crossings of the Cluster spacecraft, previously studied by Zhang et al. (2002). We further this study to show that the velocity of the current sheet waves was similar to the expansion velocity of the substorm aurora and the expansion of the dipolarization regions in the magnetotail. Furthermore, we compare these results with the current sheet wave models of Golovchanskaya and Maltsev (2005) and Erkaev et al. (2008). We find that the Erkaev et al. (2008) model gives the best fit to the observations.

scholarly journals Simulating Solar Global Magnetism in 3-D

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (H16) ◽  
pp. 101-103
Author(s):  
A. S. Brun ◽  
A. Strugarek
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Convection Zone ◽  
Thermal Structure ◽  
Solar Convection ◽  
Self Consistent ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Magnetic Field

AbstractWe briefly present recent progress using the ASH code to model in 3-D the solar convection, dynamo and its coupling to the deep radiative interior. We show how the presence of a self-consistent tachocline influences greatly the organization of the magnetic field and modifies the thermal structure of the convection zone leading to realistic profiles of the mean flows as deduced by helioseismology.

scholarly journals Ion motion in the current sheet with sheared magnetic field – Part 1: Quasi-adiabatic theory

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 163-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. V. Artemyev ◽  
A. I. Neishtadt ◽  
L. M. Zelenyi
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Current Sheet ◽  
Analytical Description ◽  
Particle Energy ◽  
Tangential Component ◽  
Adiabatic Invariant ◽  
Ion Motion ◽  
Adiabatic Theory ◽  
Fast Oscillations ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. We present a theory of trapped ion motion in the magnetotail current sheet with a constant dawn–dusk component of the magnetic field. Particle trajectories are described analytically using the quasi-adiabatic invariant corresponding to averaging of fast oscillations around the tangential component of the magnetic field. We consider particle dynamics in the quasi-adiabatic approximation and demonstrate that the principal role is played by large (so called geometrical) jumps of the quasi-adiabatic invariant. These jumps appear due to the current sheet asymmetry related to the presence of the dawn–dusk magnetic field. The analytical description is compared with results of numerical integration. We show that there are four possible regimes of particle motion. Each regime is characterized by certain ranges of values of the dawn–dusk magnetic field and particle energy. We find the critical value of the dawn–dusk magnetic field, where jumps of the quasi-adiabatic invariant vanish.

scholarly journals Ion motion in the current sheet with sheared magnetic field – Part 2: Non-adiabatic effects

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 899-919 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. V. Artemyev ◽  
A. I. Neishtadt ◽  
L. M. Zelenyi
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Current Sheet ◽  
Particle Motion ◽  
Phase Plane ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Ion Motion ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Structure And Dynamics ◽  
Adiabatic Theory ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. We investigate dynamics of charged particles in current sheets with the sheared magnetic field. In our previouspaper (Artemyev et al., 2013) we studied the particle motion in such magnetic field configurations on the basis of the quasi-adiabatic theory and conservation of the quasi-adiabatic invariant. In this paper we concentrate on violation of the adiabaticity due to jumps of this invariant and the corresponding effects of stochastization of a particle motion. We compare effects of geometrical and dynamical jumps, which occur due to the presence of the separatrix in the phase plane of charged particle motion. We show that due to the presence of the magnetic field shear, the average value of dynamical jumps is not equal to zero. This effect results in the decrease of the time interval necessary for stochastization of trapped particle motion. We investigate also the effect of the magnetic field shear on transient trajectories, which cross the current sheet boundaries. Presence of the magnetic field shear leads to the asymmetry of reflection and transition of particles in the current sheet. We discuss the possible influence of single-particle effects revealed in this paper on the current sheet structure and dynamics.

Dynamically consistent magnetic fields produced by differential rotation

1987 ◽  
Vol 178 ◽  
pp. 521-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. Fearn ◽  
M. R. E. Proctor
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Velocity Field ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Differential Rotation ◽  
Zonal Flow ◽  
Nonlinear Characteristic ◽  
Poloidal Magnetic Field ◽  
Self Consistent ◽  
Self Consistency ◽  
The Magnetic Field

We investigate the dynamical consequences of an axisymmetric velocity field with a poloidal magnetic field driven by a prescribed e.m.f. E. The problem is motivated by previous investigations of dynamically driven dynamos in the magnetostrophic range. A geostrophic zonal flow field is added to a previously described velocity, and determined by the requirement that Taylor's constraint (Taylor 1963) (guaranteeing dynamical self-consistency of the fields) be satisfied. Several solutions are exhibited, and it is suggested that self-consistent solutions can always be found to this ‘forced’ problem, whereas the usual α-effect dynamo formalism in which E is a linear function of the magnetic field leads to a difficult transcendentally nonlinear characteristic value problem that may not always possess solutions.

scholarly journals Nonlinear Dynamos

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (S271) ◽  
pp. 297-303
Author(s):  
David Galloway
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Cycle ◽  
Stokes Equation ◽  
Lorentz Force ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Navier Stokes Equation ◽  
Direct Competition ◽  
Astrophysical Objects ◽  
Flow Domain ◽  
The Magnetic Field

AbstractThis paper discusses nonlinear dynamos where the nonlinearity arises directly via the Lorentz force in the Navier-Stokes equation, and leads to a situation where the Lorentz force and the velocity and the magnetic field are in direct competition over substantial regions of the flow domain. Filamentary and non-filamentary dynamos are contrasted, and the concept of Alfvénic dynamos with almost equal magnetic and kinetic energies is reviewed via examples. So far these remain in the category of toy models; the paper concludes with a discussion of whether similar dynamos are likely to exist in astrophysical objects, and whether they can model the solar cycle.

scholarly journals Possible configurations of the magnetic field in the outer magnetosphere during geomagnetic polarity reversals

2000 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Willis ◽  
A. C. Holder ◽  
C. J. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Spherical Cavity ◽  
Exact Equation ◽  
Outer Magnetosphere ◽  
Special Cases ◽  
Magnetospheric Configuration And Dynamics ◽  
Polarity Reversals ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Geomagnetic Polarity ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. Possible configurations of the magnetic field in the outer magnetosphere during geomagnetic polarity reversals are investigated by considering the idealized problem of a magnetic multipole of order m and degree n located at the centre of a spherical cavity surrounded by a boundless perfect diamagnetic medium. In this illustrative idealization, the fixed spherical (magnetopause) boundary layer behaves as a perfectly conducting surface that shields the external diamagnetic medium from the compressed multipole magnetic field, which is therefore confined within the spherical cavity. For a general magnetic multipole of degree n, the non-radial components of magnetic induction just inside the magnetopause are increased by the factor {1 + [(n + 1)/n]} relative to their corresponding values in the absence of the perfectly conducting spherical magnetopause. An exact equation is derived for the magnetic field lines of an individual zonal (m = 0), or axisymmetric, magnetic multipole of arbitrary degree n located at the centre of the magnetospheric cavity. For such a zonal magnetic multipole, there are always two neutral points and n-1 neutral rings on the spherical magnetopause surface. The two neutral points are located at the poles of the spherical magnetopause. If n is even, one of the neutral rings is coincident with the equator; otherwise, the neutral rings are located symmetrically with respect to the equator. The actual existence of idealized higher-degree (n>1) axisymmetric magnetospheres would necessarily imply multiple (n + 1) magnetospheric cusps and multiple (n) ring currents. Exact equations are also derived for the magnetic field lines of an individual non-axisymmetric magnetic multipole, confined by a perfectly conducting spherical magnetopause, in two special cases; namely, a symmetric sectorial multipole (m = n) and an antisymmetric sectorial multipole (m = n-1). For both these non-axisymmetric magnetic multipoles, there exists on the spherical magnetopause surface a set of neutral points linked by a network of magnetic field lines. Novel magnetospheric processes are likely to arise from the existence of magnetic neutral lines that extend from the magnetopause to the surface of the Earth. Finally, magnetic field lines that are confined to, or perpendicular to, either special meridional planes or the equatorial plane, when the multipole is in free space, continue to be confined to, or perpendicular to, these same planes when the perfectly conducting magnetopause is present.Key words. Geomagnetism and paleomagnetism (reversals-process, time scale, magnetostratigraphy) · Magnetospheric physics (magnetopause, cusp, and boundary layers; magnetospheric configuration and dynamics)

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