1,029 research outputs found
Global MHD Simulations of Neptune's Magnetosphere
A global magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation has been performed in order to investigate the outer boundaries of Neptune's magnetosphere at the time of Voyager 2's flyby in 1989 and to better understand the dynamics of magnetospheres formed by highly inclined planetary dipoles. Using the MHD code Gorgon, we have implemented a precessing dipole to mimic Neptune's tilted magnetic field and rotation axes. By using the solar wind parameters measured by Voyager 2, the simulation is verified by finding good agreement with Voyager 2 magnetometer observations. Overall, there is a large-scale reconfiguration of magnetic topology and plasma distribution. During the âpole-onâ magnetospheric configuration, there only exists one tail current sheet, contained between a rarefied lobe region which extends outward from the dayside cusp, and a lobe region attached to the nightside cusp. It is found that the tail current always closes to the magnetopause current system, rather than closing in on itself, as suggested by other models. The bow shock position and shape is found to be dependent on Neptune's daily rotation, with maximum standoff being during the pole-on case. Reconnection is found on the magnetopause but is highly modulated by the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) and time of day, turning âoffâ and âonâ when the magnetic shear between the IMF and planetary fields is large enough. The simulation shows that the most likely location for reconnection to occur during Voyager 2's flyby was far from the spacecraft trajectory, which may explain the relative lack of associated signatures in the observations
The effects of magnetic field topology on secondary neutron spectra in magnetized liner inertial fusion
The Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) concept involves the compression of a magnetized fuel such that the stagnated fuel contains a magnetic field that can suppress heat flow losses and confine α particles. Magnetic confinement of α particles reduces the fuel ÏR required for ignition. Recent work [1,2] has demonstrated that the magnitude of the magnetic field in deuterium fuel can be inferred from the yields and spectra of secondary DT neutrons. In this work we investigate the potential for using the shape of the secondary neutron spectra to diagnose the magnetic field topology in the stagnated fuel. Three different field topologies that could possibly occur in MagLIF experiments are studied: (1) a cylindrical fuel column containing axial and azimuthal magnetic field components, (2) a fuel column which is pinched at the ends to form a magnetic mirror and (3) a fuel column that has a helical tube shape with magnetic field lines following the helical path of the tubeâs axis. Each topology is motivated by observations from experimental or simulated MagLIF data. For each topology we use a multi-physics model to investigate the shapes of the secondary neutron spectra emitted from a steady-state stagnated fuel column. It is found that the azimuthal and helical topologies are more suitable than the mirror topology for reproducing an asymmetry in the axial spectra that was observed in experiments. Gorgon MHD simulations of the MagLIF implosion in 1D are also carried out. These show that sufficient azimuthal magnetic field can penetrate from the liner into the fuel to qualitatively reproduce the observed spectral asymmetry
Recommended from our members
Particle boards from Cyprus-grown trees
Following a visit to the Republic of Cyprus by a member of staff of the Tropical Products Institute, a request was received from the Forests Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, to examine the wood from seven different species of locally-grown trees and assess the suitability of the wood for use in the manufacture of particle boards
Time-varying magnetopause reconnection during sudden commencement: global MHD simulations
In response to a solar wind dynamic pressure enhancement, the compression of the magnetosphere generates strong ionospheric signatures and a sharp variation in the ground magnetic field, termed sudden commencement (SC). Whilst such compressions have also been associated with a contraction of the ionospheric polar cap due to the triggering of reconnection in the magnetotail, the effect of any changes in dayside reconnection is less clear and is a key component in fully understanding the system response. In this study we explore the time-dependent nature of dayside coupling during SC by performing global simulations using the Gorgon MHD code, and impact the magnetosphere with a series of interplanetary shocks with different parameters. We identify the location and evolu tion of the reconnection region in each case as the shock propagates through the magnetosphere, finding strong enhancement in the dayside reconnection rate and prompt expansion of the dayside polar cap prior to the eventual triggering of tail reconnection. This effect pervades for a variety of IMF orientations, and the reconnection rate is most enhanced for events with higher dynamic pressure. We explain this by repeating the simulations with a large explicit resistivity, showing that compression of the magnetosheath plasma near the propagating shock front allows for reconnection of much greater intensity and at different locations on the dayside magnetopause than during typical solar wind conditions. The results indicate that the dynamic behaviour of dayside coupling may render steady models of reconnection inaccurate during the onset of a severe space weather event
Numerical study of jets produced by conical wire arrays on the Magpie pulsed power generator
The aim of this work is to model the jets produced by conical wire arrays on
the MAGPIE generator, and to design and test new setups to strengthen the link
between laboratory and astrophysical jets. We performed the modelling with
direct three-dimensional magneto-hydro-dynamic numerical simulations using the
code GORGON. We applied our code to the typical MAGPIE setup and we
successfully reproduced the experiments. We found that a minimum resolution of
approximately 100 is required to retrieve the unstable character of the jet. We
investigated the effect of changing the number of wires and found that arrays
with less wires produce more unstable jets, and that this effect has magnetic
origin. Finally, we studied the behaviour of the conical array together with a
conical shield on top of it to reduce the presence of unwanted low density
plasma flows. The resulting jet is shorter and less dense.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astrophysics & Space Science. HEDLA 2010
conference procedings. Final pubblication will be available on Springe
Modification of classical electron transport due to collisions between electrons and fast ions
A Fokker-Planck model for the interaction of fast ions with the thermal
electrons in a quasi-neutral plasma is developed. When the fast ion population
has a net flux (i.e. the distribution of the fast ions is anisotropic in
velocity space) the electron distribution function is significantly perturbed
from Maxwellian by collisions with the fast ions, even if the fast ion density
is orders of magnitude smaller than the electron density. The Fokker-Planck
model is used to derive classical electron transport equations (a generalized
Ohm's law and a heat flow equation) that include the effects of the
electron-fast ion collisions. It is found that these collisions result in a
current term in the transport equations which can be significant even when
total current is zero. The new transport equations are analyzed in the context
of a number of scenarios including particle heating in ICF and MIF
plasmas and ion beam heating of dense plasmas
- âŠ