Electromagnetohydrodynamics

Abstract

Interaction of plasma flow with a magnetic obstacle is a frequent process in many laser-plasma experiments in the laboratory, and is an important event in many astrophysical objects such as X-ray pulsars, AGN, GRB etc. As a result of plasma penetration through the magnetic wall we could expect a formation of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) shock waves, as well as of electromagnetic (EM) ones. To study these processes we need equations following from hydrodynamic and Maxwell equations, which in the limiting situations describe MHD and EM waves, and are valid for the general case, when both phenomena are present. Here we derive a set of equations following from hydrodynamic and Maxwell equations, without neglecting a displacement current, needed for a formation of EM waves. We find a dispersion equation describing a propagation of a weak linear wave in a magnetized plasma along the $x$ axis, perpendicular to the magnetic field $H_y(x)$, which contains MHD, hydrodynamic and EM waves in the limiting cases, and some new types of behaviour in a general situation. We consider a plasma with zero viscosity and heat conductivity, but with a finite electric conductivity with a scalar coefficient.Comment: 8 papers, 8 figures, 1 table, to be submitted in PR