Topological Constraints on Magnetic Relaxation

Details Topological Constraints on Magnetic Relaxation Topological Constraints on Magnetic Relaxation

2010-07-28

arxiv.org/abs/1007.4925v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Solar and Stellar Astrophysics

8 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Physical Review Letters

Scientific paper

The final state of turbulent magnetic relaxation in a reversed field pinch is well explained by Taylor's hypothesis. However, recent resistive-magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the relaxation of braided solar coronal loops have led to relaxed fields far from the Taylor state, despite the conservation of helicity. We point out the existence of an additional topological invariant in any flux tube with non-zero field: the topological degree of the field line mapping. We conjecture that this constrains the relaxation, explaining why only one of three example simulations reaches the Taylor state.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Topological Constraints on Magnetic Relaxation 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 Topological Constraints on Magnetic Relaxation, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Topological Constraints on Magnetic Relaxation will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-73904