608 research outputs found
Two-fluid magnetic island dynamics in slab geometry: II - Islands interacting with resistive walls or static external resonant magnetic perturbations
The dynamics of a propagating magnetic island interacting with a resistive
wall or a static external magnetic perturbation is investigated using
two-fluid, drift-MHD theory in slab geometry. In both cases, the island
equation of motion is found to take exactly the same form as that predicted by
single-fluid MHD theory. Three separate ion polarization terms are found in the
Rutherford island width evolution equation. The first is the drift-MHD
polarization term for an isolated island, and is completely unaffected by
interaction with a wall or magnetic perturbation. Next, there is the
polarization term due to interaction with a wall or magnetic perturbation which
is predicted by single-fluid MHD theory. Finally, there is a hybrid of the
other two polarization terms. The sign of this term depends on many factors.
However, under normal conditions, it is stabilizing if the unperturbed island
propagates in the ion diamagnetic direction (in the lab. frame), and
destabilizing if it propagates in the electron diamagnetic direction
Phase Diagrams of Forced Magnetic Reconnection in Taylor's Model
Recent progress in the understanding of how externally driven magnetic
reconnection evolves is organized in terms of parameter space diagrams. These
diagrams are constructed using four pivotal dimensionless parameters: the
Lundquist number , the magnetic Prandtl number , the amplitude of the
boundary perturbation , and the perturbation wave number .
This new representation highlights the parameters regions of a given system in
which the magnetic reconnection process is expected to be distinguished by a
specific evolution. Contrary to previously proposed phase diagrams, the
diagrams introduced here take into account the dynamical evolution of the
reconnection process and are able to predict slow or fast reconnection regimes
for the same values of and , depending on the parameters that
characterize the external drive, never considered so far. These features are
important to understand the onset and evolution of magnetic reconnection in
diverse physical systemsComment: Comments: 13 pages, 2015 Workshop "Complex plasma phenomena in the
laboratory and in the universe
Formation of Plasmoid Chains in Fusion Relevant Plasmas
The formation of plasmoid chains is explored for the first time within the
context of the Taylor problem, in which magnetic reconnection is driven by a
small amplitude boundary perturbation in a tearing-stable slab plasma
equilibrium. Numerical simulations of a magnetohydrodynamical model of the
plasma show that for very small plasma resistivity and viscosity, the linear
inertial phase is followed by a nonlinear Sweet-Parker evolution, which gives
way to a faster reconnection regime characterized by a chain of plasmoids
instead of a slower Rutherford phase
Extended theory of the Taylor problem in the plasmoid-unstable regime
A fundamental problem of forced magnetic reconnection has been solved taking
into account the plasmoid instability of thin reconnecting current sheets. In
this problem, the reconnection is driven by a small amplitude boundary
perturbation in a tearing-stable slab plasma equilibrium. It is shown that the
evolution of the magnetic reconnection process depends on the external source
perturbation and the microscopic plasma parameters. Small perturbations lead to
a slow nonlinear Rutherford evolution, whereas larger perturbations can lead to
either a stable Sweet-Parker-like phase or a plasmoid phase. An expression for
the threshold perturbation amplitude required to trigger the plasmoid phase is
derived, as well as an analytical expression for the reconnection rate in the
plasmoid-dominated regime. Visco-resistive magnetohydrodynamic simulations
complement the analytical calculations. The plasmoid formation plays a crucial
role in allowing fast reconnection in a magnetohydrodynamical plasma, and the
presented results suggest that it may occur and have profound consequences even
if the plasma is tearing-stable.Comment: Accepted for publication in Physics of Plasma
The algebra of supertraces for 2+1 super de Sitter gravity
The algebra of the observables for 2+1 super de Sitter gravity, for one genus of the spatial surface is calculated. The algebra turns out to be an infinite Lie algebra subject to non-linear constraints. The constraints are solved explicitly in terms of five independent complex supertraces. These variables are the true degrees of freedom of the system and their quantized algebra generates a new structure which is referred to as a 'central extension' of the quantum algebra SU(2)q
Gyro-induced acceleration of magnetic reconnection
The linear and nonlinear evolution of magnetic reconnection in collisionless
high-temperature plasmas with a strong guide field is analyzed on the basis of
a two-dimensional gyrofluid model. The linear growth rate of the reconnecting
instability is compared to analytical calculations over the whole spectrum of
linearly unstable wave numbers. In the strongly unstable regime (large \Delta
'), the nonlinear evolution of the reconnecting instability is found to undergo
two distinctive acceleration phases separated by a stall phase in which the
instantaneous growth rate decreases. The first acceleration phase is caused by
the formation of strong electric fields close to the X-point due to ion
gyration, while the second acceleration phase is driven by the development of
an open Petschek-like configuration due to both ion and electron temperature
effects. Furthermore, the maximum instantaneous growth rate is found to
increase dramatically over its linear value for decreasing diffusion layers.
This is a consequence of the fact that the peak instantaneous growth rate
becomes weakly dependent on the microscopic plasma parameters if the diffusion
region thickness is sufficiently smaller than the equilibrium magnetic field
scale length. When this condition is satisfied, the peak reconnection rate
asymptotes to a constant value.Comment: Accepted for publication on Physics of Plasma
Two-fluid magnetic island dynamics in slab geometry: I - Isolated islands
A set of reduced, 2-D, two-fluid, drift-MHD equations is derived. Using these
equations, a complete and fully self-consistent solution is obtained for an
isolated magnetic island propagating through a slab plasma with uniform but
different ion and electron fluid velocities. The ion and electron fluid flow
profiles around the island are uniquely determined, and are everywhere
continuous. Moreover, the island phase-velocity is uniquely specified by the
condition that there be zero net electromagnetic force acting on the island.
Finally, the ion polarization current correction to the Rutherford island width
evolution equation is evaluated, and found to be stabilizing provided that the
anomalous perpendicular ion viscosity significantly exceeds the anomalous
perpendicular electron viscosity
Quantization of Space and Time in 3 and in 4 Space-time Dimensions
The fact that in Minkowski space, space and time are both quantized does not
have to be introduced as a new postulate in physics, but can actually be
derived by combining certain features of General Relativity and Quantum
Mechanics. This is demonstrated first in a model where particles behave as
point defects in 2 space dimensions and 1 time, and then in the real world
having 3+1 dimensions. The mechanisms in these two cases are quite different,
but the outcomes are similar: space and time form a (non-cummutative) lattice.
These notes are short since most of the material discussed in these lectures
is based on two earlier papers by the same author (gr-qc/9601014 and
gr-qc/9607022), but the exposition given in the end is new.Comment: Lectures held at the NATO Advanced Study Institute on ``Quantum
Fields and Quantum Space Time", Carg\`ese, July 22 -- August 3, 1996. 16
pages Plain TeX, 6 Figure
The Framework of Plasma Physics
Plasma physics is a necessary part of our understanding of stellar and galactic structure. It determines the magnetospheric environment of the earth and other planets; it forms the research frontier in such areas as nuclear fusion, advanced accelerators, and high power lasers; and its applications to various industrial processes (such as computer chip manufacture) are rapidly increasing. It is thus a subject with a long list of scientific and technological applications. This book provides the scientific background for understanding such applications, but it emphasizes something else: the intrinsic scientific interest of the plasma state. It attempts to develop an understanding of this state, and of plasma behavior, as thoroughly and systematically as possible. The book was written with the graduate student in mind, but most of the material would also fit into an upper-level undergraduate course
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