60 research outputs found
Three-body non-additive forces between spin-polarized alkali atoms
Three-body non-additive forces in systems of three spin-polarized alkali
atoms (Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs) are investigated using high-level ab initio
calculations. The non-additive forces are found to be large, especially near
the equilateral equilibrium geometries. For Li, they increase the three-atom
potential well depth by a factor of 4 and reduce the equilibrium interatomic
distance by 0.9 A. The non-additive forces originate principally from chemical
bonding arising from sp mixing effects.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures (in 5 files
Evolution and Flare Activity of Delta-Sunspots in Cycle 23
The emergence and magnetic evolution of solar active regions (ARs) of
beta-gamma-delta type, which are known to be highly flare-productive, were
studied with the SOHO/MDI data in Cycle 23. We selected 31 ARs that can be
observed from their birth phase, as unbiased samples for our study. From the
analysis of the magnetic topology (twist and writhe), we obtained the following
results. i) Emerging beta-gamma-delta ARs can be classified into three
topological types as "quasi-beta", "writhed" and "top-to-top". ii) Among them,
the "writhed" and "top-to-top" types tend to show high flare activity. iii) As
the signs of twist and writhe agree with each other in most cases of the
"writhed" type (12 cases out of 13), we propose a magnetic model in which the
emerging flux regions in a beta-gamma-delta AR are not separated but united as
a single structure below the solar surface. iv) Almost all the "writhed"-type
ARs have downward knotted structures in the mid portion of the magnetic flux
tube. This, we believe, is the essential property of beta-gamma-delta ARs. v)
The flare activity of beta-gamma-delta ARs is highly correlated not only with
the sunspot area but also with the magnetic complexity. vi) We suggest that
there is a possible scaling-law between the flare index and the maximum umbral
area
3D MHD Flux Emergence Experiments: Idealized models and coronal interactions
This paper reviews some of the many 3D numerical experiments of the emergence
of magnetic fields from the solar interior and the subsequent interaction with
the pre-existing coronal magnetic field. The models described here are
idealized, in the sense that the internal energy equation only involves the
adiabatic, Ohmic and viscous shock heating terms. However, provided the main
aim is to investigate the dynamical evolution, this is adequate. Many
interesting observational phenomena are explained by these models in a
self-consistent manner.Comment: Review article, accepted for publication in Solar Physic
Fractal Reconnection in Solar and Stellar Environments
Recent space based observations of the Sun revealed that magnetic
reconnection is ubiquitous in the solar atmosphere, ranging from small scale
reconnection (observed as nanoflares) to large scale one (observed as long
duration flares or giant arcades). Often the magnetic reconnection events are
associated with mass ejections or jets, which seem to be closely related to
multiple plasmoid ejections from fractal current sheet. The bursty radio and
hard X-ray emissions from flares also suggest the fractal reconnection and
associated particle acceleration. We shall discuss recent observations and
theories related to the plasmoid-induced-reconnection and the fractal
reconnection in solar flares, and their implication to reconnection physics and
particle acceleration. Recent findings of many superflares on solar type stars
that has extended the applicability of the fractal reconnection model of solar
flares to much a wider parameter space suitable for stellar flares are also
discussed.Comment: Invited chapter to appear in "Magnetic Reconnection: Concepts and
Applications", Springer-Verlag, W. D. Gonzalez and E. N. Parker, eds. (2016),
33 pages, 18 figure
The Origin, Early Evolution and Predictability of Solar Eruptions
Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were discovered in the early 1970s when space-borne coronagraphs revealed that eruptions of plasma are ejected from the Sun. Today, it is known that the Sun produces eruptive flares, filament eruptions, coronal mass ejections and failed eruptions; all thought to be due to a release of energy stored in the coronal magnetic field during its drastic reconfiguration. This review discusses the observations and physical mechanisms behind this eruptive activity, with a view to making an assessment of the current capability of forecasting these events for space weather risk and impact mitigation. Whilst a wealth of observations exist, and detailed models have been developed, there still exists a need to draw these approaches together. In particular more realistic models are encouraged in order to asses the full range of complexity of the solar atmosphere and the criteria for which an eruption is formed. From the observational side, a more detailed understanding of the role of photospheric flows and reconnection is needed in order to identify the evolutionary path that ultimately means a magnetic structure will erupt
- …