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At least 19 records

Application of the sine-Poisson equation in solar magnetostatics

Solutions of the sine-Poisson equations are used to construct a class of isothermal magnetostatic atmospheres, with one ignorable coordinate corresponding to a uniform gravitational field in a plane geometry. The distributed current in the model (j) is directed along the x-axis, where x is the horizontal ignorable coordinate; (j) varies as the sine of the magnetostatic potential and falls off exponentially with distance vertical to the base with an e-folding distance equal to the gravitational scale height. Solutions for the magnetostatic potential A corresponding to the one-soliton, two-soliton, and breather solutions of the sine-Gordon equation are studied. Depending on the values of the free parameters in the soliton solutions, horizontally periodic magnetostatic structures are obtained possessing either a single X-type neutral point, multiple neural X-points, or solutions without X-points.

Webb, G. M.↗

Quasistatic evolution of magnetostatic coronal structures

Four separate but related studies of coronal magnetostatic equilibria under a variety of boundary conditions and distributions of coronal current are reviewed. Physically, all four studies assume an axisymmetric corona whose radial magnetic field at the coronal base is dipolar. Electric currents in the model coronas are assumed to flow in the azimuthal direction, giving rise to Lorentz forces that must be balanced by pressure gradients and gravity. Mathematically, such coronas are described by the equation of magnetostatic force balance and Ampere's law. Although highly idealized, the axisymmetric magnetostatic models described provide insights into the behavior of a variety of coronal structures. The models show how more realistic current sheet boundary conditions and coronal density variations may be modeled.

Wolfson, Richard↗

Integrated optical signal processing with magnetostatic waves

Magneto-optical devices based on Bragg diffraction of light by magnetostatic waves (MSW's) offer the potential of large time-bandwidth optical signal processing at microwave frequencies of 1 to 20 GHz and higher. A thin-film integrated-optical configuration, with the interacting MSW and guided-optical wave both propagating in a common ferrite layer, is necessary to avoid shape-factor demagnetization effects. The underlying theory of the MSW-optical interaction is outlined, including the development of expressions for optical diffraction efficiency as a function of MSW power and other relevant parameters. Bradd diffraction of guided-optical waves by transversely-propagating magnetostatic waves and collinear TE/TM mode conversion included by MSW's have been demonstrated in yttrium iron garnet (YIG) thin films. Diffraction levels as large as 4% (7 mm interaction length) and a modulation dynamic range of approx 30 dB have been observed. Advantages of these MSW-based devices over the analogous acousto-optical devices include: much greater operating frequencies, tunability of the MSW dispersion relation by varying either the RF frequency or the applied bias magnetic field, simple broad-band MSW transducer structures (e.g., a single stripline), and the potential for very high diffraction efficiencies.

Fisher, A. D.↗

Three-dimensional magnetostatic models of the large-scale corona

A special class of magnetostatic equilibria is described, which are mathematically simple and yet sufficiently versatile so as to fit any arbitrary normal magnetic flux prescribed at the photosphere. With these solutions, the corona can be modeled with precisely the same mathematically simple procedure as has previously been done with potential fields. The magnetostatic model predicts, in addition to the coronal magnetic field, the three dimensional coronal density which can be compared with coronagraph observations.

Bogdan, T. J.↗

Isothermal magnetostatic atmospheres. II - Similarity solutions with current proportional to the magnetic potential cubed

The paper presents a family of isothermal magnetostatic atmospheres with one ignorable coordinate corresponding to a uniform gravitational field in a plane geometry. The distributed current in the model J is directed along the x-axis, where x is the horizontal ignorable coordinate. The current J is taken to be proportional to the cube of the magnetostatic potential A and falls off exponentially with distance vertical to the base with an e-folding distance equal to the gravitational scale height. A range of similarity solution examples are displayed depending on the values of the similarity parameters. Each similarity parameter corresponds to a symmetry of the underlying nonlinear elliptic equation for A. The similarity parameters also determine the source currents for the potential field solution of the family. The solutions show the interplay between the gravitational force, the J & B force (B, magnetic field induction) and the gas pressure gradient.

Webb, G. M.↗

Isothermal magnetostatic atmospheres. III - Similarity solutions with current proportional to the magnetic potential squared

A family of isothermal magnetostatic atmospheres with one ignorable coordinate corresponding to a uniform gravitational field in a plane geometry is considered. It is assumed that the current (J) is proportional to the square of the magnetostatic potential and falls off exponentially with distance. Results are presented for the contributions of the anisotropic J x B force (where B is the magnetic field induction), the gravitational force, and the gas pressure gradient to the force balance.

Webb, G. M.↗

A magnetostatic-coupling based remote query sensor for environmental monitoring

A new type of in situ, remotely monitored magnetism-based sensor is presented that is comprised of an array of magnetically soft, magnetostatically-coupled ferromagnetic thin-film elements or particles combined with a chemically responsive material that swells or shrinks in response to the analyte of interest. As the chemically responsive material changes size the distance between the ferromagnetic elements changes, altering the inter-element magnetostatic coupling. This in turn changes the coercive force of the sensor, the amplitude of the voltage spikes detected in nearby pick-up coils upon magnetization reversal and the number of higher-order harmonics generated by the flux reversal. Since the sensor is monitored through changes in magnetic flux, no physical connections such as wires or cables are needed to obtain sensor information, nor is line of sight alignment required as with laser telemetry; the sensors can be detected from within sealed, opaque or thin metallic enclosures.

NASA Discipline Life Sciences Technologies↗

A nonlinear theory of cosmic ray pitch angle diffusion in homogeneous magnetostatic turbulence

A plasma strong turbulence, weak coupling, theory is applied to the problem of cosmic ray pitch angle scattering in magnetostatic turbulence. The theory used is a rigorous generalization of Weinstock's resonance-broadening theory and contains no ad hoc approximations. A detailed calculation is presented for a model of slab turbulence with an exponential correlation function. The results agree well with numerical simulations. The rigidity dependence of the pitch angle scattering coefficient differs from that found by previous researchers. The differences result from an inadequate treatment of particle trajectories near 90 deg pitch angle in earlier work.

Goldstein, M. L.↗

A nonlinear theory of cosmic-ray pitch-angle diffusion in homogeneous magnetostatic turbulence

A plasma strong turbulence, weak coupling, theory is applied to the problem of cosmic-ray pitch-angle scattering in magnetostatic turbulence. The theory used is a rigorous generalization of Weinstock's 'resonance broadening' theory and contains no ad hoc approximations. A detailed calculation is presented for a model of 'slab' turbulence with an exponential correlation function. The results agree well with numerical simulations. The rigidity dependence of the pitch-angle scattering coefficient differs from that found by previous researchers. The differences result from an inadequate treatment of particle trajectories near 90 deg pitch angle in earlier work.

Goldstein, M. L.↗

Solving magnetostatic field problems with NASTRAN

Determining the three-dimensional magnetostatic field in current-induced situations has usually involved vector potentials, which can lead to excessive computational times. How such magnetic fields may be determined using scalar potentials is reviewed. It is shown how the heat transfer capability of NASTRAN level 17 was modified to take advantage of the new method.

Hurwitz, M. M.↗

A class of analytic solutions for the thermally balanced magnetostatic prominence sheet

A theoretical study is presented for the nonlinear interplay between magnetostatic equilibrium and energy balance in a Kippenhahn-Schlueter type solar prominence sheet. A class of theoretical models is presented, expressed in closed analytic forms, thus facilitating the direct illustration of the nonlinear physical properties. The model couples the equilibrium between magnetic field, plasma pressure, and weight on the one hand, with the balance between a rho-squared T radiative loss, a rho wave heating (where rho equals plasma density, and T equals plasma temperature), and thermal conduction channeled along magnetic field lines on the other. The steady solutions are divided into three classes, and are characterized by the total wave heating in the prominence sheet which is greater than, equal to, or less than the total radiative loss. The compaction of the plasma along the field lines, under its own weight, and the energy transport effects determine which of the three basic behaviors obtains in a particular situation. A discussion is presented of the implications of the steady solutions for the formation of prominences.

Low, B. C.↗

On the topological stability of magnetostatic equilibria

The topological stability of MHD equilibria is investigated by exploring the formal analogy, in the ideal MHD limit, between the topology of magnetic lines of force in coordinate space and the topology of integral surfaces of one- and two-dimensional Hamiltonian systems in phase space. It is demonstrated that in an astrophysical setting, symmetric magnetostatic equilibria satisfying the ideal MHD equations are exceptional. The principal result of the study is that previous infinitesimal perturbation theory calculations can be generalized to include finite-amplitude and symmetry-breaking effects. The effect of the ergodicity of perturbed symmetric equilibria on heat dispersal in magnetically dominated plasmas is discussed.

Tsinganos, K. C.↗

On the stability of a class of isothermal, magnetostatic atmospheres

The stability of a class of isothermal magnetostatic atmospheres with one ignorable coordinate corresponding to a uniform gravitational field in a plane geometry is explored. Special attention is given to the stability of nonpotential equilibria that have the same magnetic field geometry as the potential equilibrium of the solution family. It is found that equilibria in which the source currents for the potential field are buried at large distances below the photospheric base are stable. Also considered is the stability of configurations in which the source currents for the potential field are located at a finite depth below the base.

Webb, G. M.↗