Physics – Plasma Physics
Scientific paper
Nov 2004
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004aps..dppem1006b&link_type=abstract
American Physical Society, 46th Annual Meeting of the Division of Plasma Physics, 15-19 November, 2004, Savannah, GA. MEETING I
Physics
Plasma Physics
Scientific paper
A laboratory plasma configuration based on spheromak [1] magnetic fusion plasma physics technology is used to simulate many important features of magnetically driven astrophysical jets. The experimental sequence starts with a quasi-static seed poloidal magnetic field that links a central disk electrode to a co-planar bounding annular electrode; this arrangement provides a topology analogous to the poloidal magnetic field of a star linking a surrounding accretion disk. After puffing neutral gas from nozzles mounted on the electrodes, plasma is created via application of a large emf between the central disk and the bounding annular electrode. The emf then drives a large poloidal electric current flowing from the central disk electrode (star) to the annulus (accretion disk) along the bias poloidal magnetic field. This electric current produces large magnetohydrodynamic forces which result in dynamics analogous to the dynamics of an astrophysical jet. In particular, the laboratory "astrophysical jet" is observed [2,3] to evolve through a distinct, reproducible sequence consisting of jet formation, collimation, kink instability, and for appropriate parameters, detachment into an unbounded, expanding spheromak-like plasmoid. These observations and related observations on a solar prominence simulation experiment [4] have motivated an analytic model [5] for the collimation physics whereby stagnation of convected, frozen-in toroidal magnetic flux amplifies the toroidal magnetic flux density and then, since the toroidal magnetic field (i.e., toroidal flux density) provides the pinch force, the pinch force is increased, collimating the jet. The following talk (You, Bellan, Yun) will present detailed measurements of the jet formation, acceleration, and collimation process. [1] P. M. Bellan, Spheromaks (Imperial College Press, London, 2000). [2] S. C. Hsu and P. M. Bellan, Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 334, 257 (2002). [3] S. C. Hsu and P. M. Bellan, Phys. Rev. Letters 90, article 215002 (2003). [4] J. F. Hansen and P. M. Bellan, ApJ 563, L183 (2001). [5] P. M. Bellan, Phys. Plasmas 10 Pt 2, 1999 (2003).
No associations
LandOfFree
Simulating Astrophysical Jets in Laboratory Experiments does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Simulating Astrophysical Jets in Laboratory Experiments, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Simulating Astrophysical Jets in Laboratory Experiments will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1009661