Rapid dissipation of magnetic fields due to Hall current

Details Rapid dissipation of magnetic fields due to Hall current Rapid dissipation of magnetic fields due to Hall current

1999-11-19

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9911386v2

Phys.Rev. E61 (2000) 4422

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

9 pages, changed fig. 3

Scientific paper

10.1103/PhysRevE.61.4422

We propose a mechanism for the fast dissipation of magnetic fields which is effective in a stratified medium where ion motions can be neglected. In such a medium, the field is frozen into the electrons and Hall currents prevail. Although Hall currents conserve magnetic energy, in the presence of density gradients, they are able to create current sheets which can be the sites for efficient dissipation of magnetic fields. We recover the frequency, $\omega_{MH}$, for Hall oscillations modified by the presence of density gradients. We show that these oscillations can lead to the exchange of energy between different components of the field. We calculate the time evolution and show that magnetic fields can dissipate on a timescale of order $1/\omega_{MH}$. This mechanism can play an important role for magnetic dissipation in systems with very steep density gradients where the ions are static such as those found in the solid crust of neutron stars.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Rapid dissipation of magnetic fields due to Hall current 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 Rapid dissipation of magnetic fields due to Hall current, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Rapid dissipation of magnetic fields due to Hall current will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-445536