Ideal Ohm's Law Research Articles

Relaxed magnetohydrodynamics with ideal Ohm's law constraint

The gap between a recently developed dynamical version of relaxed magnetohydrodynamics (RxMHD) and ideal MHD (IMHD) is bridged by approximating the zero-resistivity ‘ideal’ Ohm's law (IOL) constraint using an augmented Lagrangian method borrowed from optimization theory. The augmentation combines a pointwise vector Lagrange multiplier method and global penalty function method and can be used either for iterative enforcement of the IOL to arbitrary accuracy, or for constructing a continuous sequence of magnetofluid dynamics models running between RxMHD (no IOL) and weak IMHD (IOL almost everywhere). This is illustrated by deriving dispersion relations for linear waves on an MHD equilibrium.

Cascades and Dissipative Anomalies in Nearly Collisionless Plasma Turbulence

We develop first-principles theory of kinetic plasma turbulence governed by the Vlasov-Maxwell-Landau equations in the limit of vanishing collision rates. Following an exact renormalization-group approach pioneered by Onsager, we demonstrate the existence of a "collisionless range" of scales (lengths and velocities) in 1-particle phase space where the ideal Vlasov-Maxwell equations are satisfied in a "coarse-grained sense". Entropy conservation may nevertheless be violated in that range by a "dissipative anomaly" due to nonlinear entropy cascade. We derive "4/5th-law" type expressions for the entropy flux, which allow us to characterize the singularities (structure-function scaling exponents) required for its non-vanishing. Conservation laws of mass, momentum and energy are not afflicted with anomalous transfers in the collisionless limit. In a subsequent limit of small gyroradii, however, anomalous contributions to inertial-range energy balance may appear due both to cascade of bulk energy and to turbulent redistribution of internal energy in phase space. In that same limit the "generalized Ohm's law" derived from the particle momentum balances reduces to an "ideal Ohm's law", but only in a coarse-grained sense that does not imply magnetic flux-freezing and that permits magnetic reconnection at all inertial-range scales. We compare our results with prior theory based on the gyrokinetic (high gyro-frequency) limit, with numerical simulations, and with spacecraft measurements of the solar wind and terrestrial magnetosphere.

Experiments and models of MHD jets and their relevance to astrophysics and solar physics

Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD)-driven jets involve poloidal and toroidal magnetic fields, finite pressure gradients, and unbalanced forces. The mechanism driving these jets is first discussed qualitatively by decomposing the magnetic force into a curvature and a gradient component. The mechanism is then considered quantitatively by consideration of all terms in the three components of the MHD equation of motion and in addition, the implications of Ampere's law, Faraday's law, the ideal Ohm's law, and the equation of continuity. The analysis shows that jets are self-collimating with the tip of the jet moving more slowly than the main column of the jet so there is a continuous stagnation near the tip in the jet frame. Experiments supporting these conclusions are discussed and it is shown how this mechanism relates to jets in astrophysical and solar corona contexts.

The relativistic electro-vortical field—revisiting magneto-genesis and allied problems

Following the idea of MagnetoFluid unification [S. M. Mahajan, Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 035001 (2003)], a very general Electro-Vortical (EV) field is constructed to describe the dynamics of a perfect relativistic fluid. Structurally similar to the electromagnetic field Fμν, the Electro-Vortical field Mνμ unifies the macroscopic forces into a single grand force that is the weighted sum of the electromagnetic and the inertial/thermal forces. The new effective force may be viewed either as a vortico-thermal generalization of the electromagnetic force or as the electromagnetic generalization of the vortico-thermal forces that a fluid element experiences in course of its evolution. Two fundamental consequences follow from this grand unification: (1) emergences of a new helicity that is conserved for arbitrary thermodynamics and (2) the entire dynamics is formally expressible as an MHD (magnetohydrodynamics) like ideal Ohm's law in which the “electric” and “magnetic” components of the EV field replace the standard electric and magnetic fields. In the light of these more and more encompassing conserved helicities, the “scope and significance” of the classical problem of magneto-genesis (need for a seed field to get a dynamo started) is reexamined. It is shown that in models more advanced than MHD, looking for exotic seed-generation mechanisms (like the baroclinic thermodynamics) should not constitute a fundamental pursuit; the totally ideal dynamics is perfectly capable of generating and sustaining magnetic fields entirely within its own devices. For a specified thermodynamics, a variety of exact and semi exact self-consistent analytical solutions for equilibrium magnetic and flow fields are derived for a single species charged fluid. The scale lengths of the fields are determined by two natural scale lengths: the skin depth and the gradient length of the thermodynamic quantities. Generally, the skin depth, being the shorter (even much shorter) than the gradient length, will characterize the kinetic-magnetic reservoir of short scale energy that will drive the dynamo as well as reverse dynamo action—the creation of large scale magnetic and flow fields.

Generalised relativistic Ohm's laws, extended gauge transformations, and magnetic linking

Generalisations of the relativistic ideal Ohm's law are presented that include specific dynamical features of the current carrying particles in a plasma. Cases of interest for space and laboratory plasmas are identified where these generalisations allow for the definition of generalised electromagnetic fields that transform under a Lorentz boost in the same way as the real electromagnetic fields and that obey the same set of homogeneous Maxwell's equations.

TURBULENT GENERAL MAGNETIC RECONNECTION

Plasma flows with an MHD-like turbulent inertial range, such as the solar wind, require a generalization of General Magnetic Reconnection (GMR) theory. We introduce the slip-velocity source vector, which gives the rate of development of slip velocity per unit arc length of field line. The slip source vector is the ratio of the curl of the non ideal electric field in the Generalized Ohm's Law and the magnetic field strength. It diverges at magnetic nulls, unifying GMR with magnetic null-point reconnection. Only under restrictive assumptions is the slip velocity related to the gradient of the quasi potential (integral of parallel electric field along field lines). In a turbulent inertial range the curl becomes extremely large while the parallel component is tiny, so that line slippage occurs even while ideal MHD becomes accurate. The resolution of this paradox is that ideal MHD is valid for a turbulent inertial-range only in a weak sense which does not imply magnetic line freezing. The notion of weak solution is explained in terms of spatial coarse-graining and renormalization group (RG) theory. We give an argument for the weak validity of the ideal Ohm's law in the inertial range, via rigorous estimates of the terms in the Generalized Ohm's Law for an electron-ion plasma. All of the nonideal terms (from collisional resistivity, Hall field, electron pressure anisotropy, and electron inertia) are shown to be irrelevant in the RG sense and large-scale reconnection is thus governed solely by ideal dynamics. We briefly discuss some implications for heliospheric reconnection, in particular for deviations from the Parker spiral model of interplanetary magnetic field. Solar wind observations show that reconnection in a turbulence broadened heliospheric current sheet, consistent with the Lazarian-Vishniac theory, leads to slip velocities that cause field lines to lag relative to the spiral model.

RAPID CHANGE OF FIELD LINE CONNECTIVITY AND RECONNECTION IN STOCHASTIC MAGNETIC FIELDS

Magnetic fields without a direction of continuous symmetry have the generic feature that neighboring field lines exponentiate away from each other and become stochastic, hence the ideal constraint of preserving magnetic field line connectivity becomes exponentially sensitive to small deviations from ideal Ohm's law. The idea of breaking field line connectivity by stochasticity as a mechanism for fast reconnection is tested with numerical simulations based on reduced magnetohydrodynamics equations with a strong guide field line-tied to two perfectly conducting end plates. Starting from an ideally stable force-free equilibrium, the system is allowed to undergo resistive relaxation. Two distinct phases are found in the process of resistive relaxation. During the quasi-static phase, rapid change of field line connectivity and strong induced flow are found in regions of high field line exponentiation. However, although the field line connectivity of individual field lines can change rapidly, the overall pattern of field line mapping appears to deform gradually. From this perspective, field line exponentiation appears to cause enhanced diffusion rather than reconnection. In some cases, resistive quasi-static evolution can cause the ideally stable initial equilibrium to cross a stability threshold, leading to formation of intense current filaments and rapid change of field line mapping into a qualitatively different pattern. It is in this onset phase that the change of field line connectivity is more appropriately designated as magnetic reconnection. Our results show that rapid change of field line connectivity appears to be a necessary, but not a sufficient condition for fast reconnection.

Wave dispersion in the hybrid-Vlasov model: Verification of Vlasiator

Vlasiator is a new hybrid-Vlasov plasma simulation code aimed at simulating the entire magnetosphere of the Earth. The code treats ions (protons) kinetically through Vlasov's equation in the six-dimensional phase space while electrons are a massless charge-neutralizing fluid [M. Palmroth et al., J. Atmos. Sol.-Terr. Phys. 99, 41 (2013); A. Sandroos et al., Parallel Comput. 39, 306 (2013)]. For first global simulations of the magnetosphere, it is critical to verify and validate the model by established methods. Here, as part of the verification of Vlasiator, we characterize the low-β plasma wave modes described by this model and compare with the solution computed by the Waves in Homogeneous, Anisotropic Multicomponent Plasmas (WHAMP) code [K. Rönnmark, Kiruna Geophysical Institute Reports No. 179, 1982], using dispersion curves and surfaces produced with both programs. The match between the two fundamentally different approaches is excellent in the low-frequency, long wavelength range which is of interest in global magnetospheric simulations. The left-hand and right-hand polarized wave modes as well as the Bernstein modes in the Vlasiator simulations agree well with the WHAMP solutions. Vlasiator allows a direct investigation of the importance of the Hall term by including it in or excluding it from Ohm's law in simulations. This is illustrated showing examples of waves obtained using the ideal Ohm's law and Ohm's law including the Hall term. Our analysis emphasizes the role of the Hall term in Ohm's law in obtaining wave modes departing from ideal magnetohydrodynamics in the hybrid-Vlasov model.

Regions associated with electron physics in asymmetric magnetic field reconnection

Spatial relationships between regions containing signatures of electron physics in asymmetric reconnection with a guide field are examined using simulations and space observations that are in excellent agreement. These electron physics regions do not completely overlap, are not confined to sizes ∼electron skin depth, and do not surround the X‐line. The electron ideal Ohm's law, E + Ue × B = 0, is violated over many ion inertia lengths in the outflow direction. Thus, pressure terms and, to a lesser extent, inertia terms in the Generalized Ohm's Law are important in producing electron physics on ion scales. Parallel electric fields that are necessary but not sufficient for reconnection are found in the simulation and in space on ion scales in the outflow direction. They account for ∼10% of j · E, averaged over the current sheet. The electron exhaust jet exists over a shorter length for asymmetric reconnection than it does for symmetric reconnection.

Are heliospheric flows magnetic line- or flux-conserving?

This article discusses and tests the validity of the frozen in magnetic field paradigm (or 'ideal magnetohydro- dynamics (MHD) constraint') which is usually adopted by many authors dealing with heliospheric physics. To show the problem of using ideal MHD in such a coun- terflow configuration like the heliosphere, we first recapit- ulate the basic concepts of freezing-in of magnetic fields, respectively magnetic topology conservation and its viola- tion (= magnetic reconnection) in 3-D, already done by other authors with different methods with respect to derivations and interpretations. Then we analyse different heliospheric plasma environments. As a model of the stagnation re- gion/stagnation point in front of the heliospheric nose, we present and discuss the general solution of the ideal MHD Ohm's law in the vicinity of a 2-D stagnation point, which was found by us. We show that ideal MHD either leads necessarily to a di- verging magnetic field strength in the vicinity of such a stag- nation point, or to a vanishing mass density on the heliopause boundaries. In the case that components of the electric field parallel to the magnetic field do not exist due to the cho- sen form of the non-ideal Ohm's law, it is always possible to formulate the transport equation of the magnetic field as a modified ideal Ohm's law. We find that the form of the Ohm's law which is often used in heliospheric physics (see e.g. Baranov and Fahr, 2003), is not able to change magnetic topology and thus cannot lead to magnetic reconnection, which necessarily has to occur at the stagnation point. The diverging magnetic field, for in- stance, implies the breakdown of the flux freezing paradigm for the heliosphere. Its application, especially at the helio- spheric nose, is therefore rather doubtful. We conclude that it is necessary to search for an Ohm's law which is able to violate magnetic topology conservation.

Particle Motion in Collapsing Magnetic Traps in Solar Flares. I. Kinematic Theory of Collapsing Magnetic Traps

We present a model of collapsing magnetic traps in magnetic field configurations associated with solar flares. The model is based on a kinematic description of the magnetic field obeying the ideal Ohm's law. The dynamic evolution of the models is given in terms of a time-dependent transformation from Eulerian to Lagrangian coordinates. The transformation can be used to determine the corresponding flow field, the magnetic field, and the electric field from given initial conditions. The theory is formulated for translationally invariant situations, but a fully three-dimensional version is also given. The effect of various transformations and initial conditions is discussed with a view to calculating charged particle orbits in the given electromagnetic fields.

Quiet time particle acceleration in interplanetary space

We propose a model for the acceleration of charged particles in interplanetary space that appear during quiet time periods, that is, not associated with solar activity events like intense flares or coronal mass ejections. The interaction of charged particles with modeled turbulent electromagnetic fields, which mimic the fields observed in the interplanetary medium, is studied. The turbulence is modeled by means of a dynamical system,the Gledzer-Ohkitani-Yamada (GOY) shell model, which describes the gross features of the Navier-Stokes equations. The GOY model is used to build a 3-D velocity field, which in turn is used to numerically solve the ideal magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) induction equation, while the electric field is calculated from the ideal Ohm's law. Particle acceleration in such an environment is investigated by test particle simulations, and the resulting energy distributions are discussed and compared to observations of suprathermal electrons and ions during quiet periods in interplanetary space.

Magnetic reconnection in a current sheet six-pack: a numerical experiment

Two-dimensional magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) simulations are carried out to study magnetic reconnection in a configuration that is characterized by six current sheets extending radially from the z-axis. In the initial configuration, the current density within the current sheets sharply increases with increasing radial distance from the origin which makes it necessary to introduce a numerical wall-stabilization. With this, the interior region appears to be stable in the case of ideal Ohm's law, but finite resistivity leads to spontaneous magnetic reconnection, resulting in considerable plasma acceleration. The plasma flow is almost incompressible. The high symmetry of the initial configuration is approximately conserved even when a non-symmetric distribution of the resistivity is assumed.

Three dimensional simulation studies on bright points in the solar corona

The interaction phase of the Converging Flux Model (Priest et al., 1994) for the formation of coronal X-ray bright points is investigated self-consistently by means of magnetohydrodynamical simulations. In these simulations the three-dimensional dynamical evolution of two mutually approaching magnetic structures of opposite polarity is studied. During the ideal phase of the approach a current sheet forms in the region above the polarity inversion line and the low-β coronal plasma is compressed and heated locally. Stronger plasma heating on shorter time scales occurs due to magnetic reconnection as soon as a finite anomalous resistivity leads to a violation of the ideal Ohm's law. Both processes together might account for quasi-stationary soft X-ray emissivity of bright points, flaring of tiny filaments within X-ray bright points, and jet-like plasma flows in the vicinity of bright point features.