Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Nov 2002
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002aps..dppgp1053b&link_type=abstract
American Physical Society, 44th Annual Meeting of the Division of Plasma , abstract #GP1.053
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Spheromak formation in our planar coaxial gun experiment is remarkably similar to MHD theories of accretion disk jet formation. The ideal Ohm's Law E + U × B = 0 relates the electric field E and plasma velocity U. In an accretion disk, the accreting matter wraps up the magnetic field and induces an E-field between star and disk. In the experiment, an applied E-field produces toroidal plasma rotation above the gun electrodes. In both cases, magnetic helicity is injected into the plasma. In our experiment we have observed three distinct α_gun-dependent plasma configurations(S. C. Hsu and P. M. Bellan, Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 334), 257 (2002). (where α_gun is the force-free parameter applied at the gun), each of which has a potential analog with observed features of accretion disks and jets, including (1) the collimation of plasma, (2) internal ``knotty'' jet structure, and (3) disk flaring, respectively. These observations suggest the relevance of magnetic helicity injection and plasma relaxation to astrophysical jet formation, structure, and dynamics. We are obtaining direct quantitative measurements of magnetic field, localized values of α in the plasma, and plasma bulk flow velocities via Doppler broadened emission spectra. We will present this data along with quantitative analysis of our observed plasma regimes. Implications for astrophysical jets will be discussed.
Bellan Paolo
Hsu Stephen
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