MHD Collimation Mechanism in Arched Flux Ropes Characterized Using Volumetric, Time‐Dependent B‐Vector Measurements
Abstract
Laboratory measurements of B(x,t) in a volume enclosing portions of two arched flux ropes show flux rope collimation driven by gradients in axial current density. These measurements verify the three predictions of a proposed MHD collimation mechanism: (1) axial magnetic forces exist in current channels with spatially varying minor radius, (2) these forces can drive counterpropagating axial flows, and (3) this process collimates the flux rope. This mechanism may explain the axial uniformity of solar loops and is relevant to other systems with current channels of varying minor radius such as solar prominences and astrophysical jets.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Oct 04, 2017
- Source ID
- 10.1002/2017gl074505
Entities
People
- Magnus Haw
- Paul M. Bellan
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- California Institute of Technology
- National Science Foundation
- United States Department of Energy