Cylindrically symmetric force-free magnetic fields

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (16) References (21) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Cylindrically Symmetric Force-free Magnetic Fields Porter, Lisa J. ; Klimchuk, James A. ; Sturrock, Peter A. Abstract The magnetofrictional method was used to study the energy buildup in stressed coronal fields possessing cylindrical symmetry. Four different nonlinear, force-free magnetic-field configurations were examined. It was determined that, in all cases, a reasonable amount of twist in the field lines can produce enough free magnetic energy to power a typical flare. Furthermore, it was found that the rate of energy buildup is enhanced if the greatest twist and/or the magnetic flux is concentrated closer to the neutral line. It is thought that the open-field configuration (a configuration for which the field lines extend to infinity and the current is confined to a current sheet separating outgoing and incoming field lines) is the limiting state as one imposes infinite shear. The results of this work do not contradict this theory once numerical errors are taken into account. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: February 1992 DOI: 10.1086/170980 Bibcode: 1992ApJ...385..738P Keywords: Force-Free Magnetic Fields; Magnetic Field Configurations; Solar Corona; Solar Magnetic Field; Current Sheets; Solar Flares; Solar Physics; MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS: MHD; SUN: CORONA; SUN: FLARES; SUN: MAGNETIC FIELDS full text sources ADS |