Topological constraints in magnetic field relaxation

Tangled Magnetic Fields in Astro- and Plasma Physics; Quantised Flux in Tightly Knotted and Linked Systems

Candelaresi, S.^1,2

NORDITA, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm University, Roslagstullsbacken 23, Stockholm

SE-10691, Sweden^1

Department of Astronomy, AlbaNova University Center, Stockholm University, Stockholm

SE-10691, Sweden^2

关键词: Fixed-point index;    Free decay;    Magnetic energies;    Magnetic helicity;    Taylor state;    Topological constraints;   

Others  :  https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/544/1/012006/pdf
DOI  :  10.1088/1742-6596/544/1/012006

来源: IOP

【 摘 要 】

Stability and reconnection of magnetic fields play a fundamental role in natural and manmade plasma. In these applications the field's topology determines the stability of the magnetic field. Here I will describe the importance of one topology quantifier, the magnetic helicity, which impedes any free decay of the magnetic energy. Further constraints come from the fixed point index which hinders the field to relax into the Taylor state.