Parallel electric field-induced instability in the magnetospheric ion-electron plasma

A complete dispersion relation for a whistler mode wave propagation in an anisotropic warm ion-electron magnetoplasma in the presence of parallel electric field using the dispersion relation for a circularly polarized wave has been derived. The dispersion relation includes the effect of anisotropy for the ion and electron velocity distribution functions. The growth rate of electron-ion cyclotron waves for different plasma parameters observed atL = 6.6R _E has been computed and the results have been discussed in detail in the light of the observed features of VLF emissions and whistlers. The role of the combination of ion-cyclotron and whistler mode electromagnetic wave propagation along the magnetic field in an anisotropic Maxwellian weakly-ionized magnetoplasma has been studied.     

Stability of the ordinary mode to an electron heat flux

Stability equations for the low frequency ordinary mode propagating perpendicular to a homogeneous magnetic field in the presence of a heat flux in a collisionless plasma are derived by working within an appropriate velocity reference frame. Solutions indicate the ordinary mode is stable under average solar wind conditions at 1 AU.     

The interaction of an obliquely incident plane electromagnetic wave with an anisotropic moving conducting half-space

The interaction of an obliquely incident plane electromagnetic wave with an anisotropic moving conducting medium described by tensor constitutive parameters is studied. Starting from the Maxwell-Minkowski equations the wave solutions in the laboratory frame, the modified law of refraction and the reflecton and the transmission coefficients are obtained both for incidentE- andH-waves, corresponding to the two specific orientations of the plane of incidence relative to the direction of motion of the medium. The reflection and the transmission coefficients for a moving conducting medium do not, in general, add to unity resulting in the possibility of energy transference between the moving medium and the transmitted wave. Further the various reflection and transmission characteristics are modified in an interesting manner due to the finite conductivity, the anisotropy and the motion of the medium. Numerical results for the reflection and the transmission coefficients are presented for a range of the parameters characterizing the anisotropy and the velocity of the moving medium.     

Electromagnetic radiation from line sources interacting with a moving magnetoplasma slab backed by a finitely conducting medium

The problem of electromagnetic radiation from electric and magnetic line sources interacting with a moving magnetoplasma slab backed by a finitely conducting medium is treated. The local magnetostatic field is aligned parallel with the line source and is perpendicular to the direction of slab motion. For the configuration, theE andH modes are excited independently by a magnetic and an electric line source respectively. Expressions for the far zone radiation fields and the radiation pattern have been obtained for both the line sources. It is found that the radiation due to an electric line source is not affected by the presence of a static magnetic field and the motion of the slab medium. Numerical results for the radiation pattern referring to both the line sources have been presented for a wide range of parameters characterizing the finite magnetostatic field, the conductivity of the medium backing the plasma, the thickness of the slab and the location of the line source.     

Strong electromagnetic waves in a magnetized relativistic electron-positron plasma

It is shown that in a strongly magnetized relativistic electron-positron plasma, strongly localized large amplitude circularly polarized electromagnetic wave pulses exist. The localization is due to relativistic mass variation as well as ponderomotive force effects. Three types of pulses are found analytically: the sharply spiked pulse in a strongly magnetized cold plasma, the smooth pulse in a week magnetized warm plasma, and the moderately spiked pulse for a weakly magnetized cold plasma. The physical mechanisms giving rise to these pulses are distinct for each case. Possible implications of our investigation to pulsar radiation are discussed.     

Magnetic draping of merging cores and radio bubbles in clusters of galaxies

Sharp fronts observed by the Chandra satellite between dense cool cluster cores moving with near-sonic velocity through the hotter intergalactic gas, require strong suppression of thermal conductivity across the boundary. This may be due to magnetic fields tangential to the contact surface separating the two plasma components. We point out that a super-Alfvenic motion of a plasma cloud (a core of a merging galaxy) through a weakly magnetized intercluster medium leads to 'magnetic draping', formation of a thin, strongly magnetized boundary layer with a tangential magnetic field. For supersonic cloud motion,   M _s≥ 1  , magnetic field inside the layer reaches near-equipartition values with thermal pressure. Typical thickness of the layer is  ∼ L / M ²_A≪ L   , where L is the size of the obstacle (plasma cloud) moving with Alfvén Mach number   M _A≫ 1  . To a various degree, magnetic draping occurs for both subsonic and supersonic flows, random and ordered magnetic fields and it does not require plasma compressibility. The strongly magnetized layer will thermally isolate the two media and may contribute to the Kelvin–Helmholtz stability of the interface. Similar effects occur for radio bubbles, quasi-spherical expanding cavities blown up by active galactic nucleus jets; in this case, the thickness of the external magnetized layer is smaller,  ∼ L / M ³_A≪ L   .     

Instability of the electromagnetic ordinary mode in counterstreaming plasmas

The instability of a linearly-polarised electromagnetic ordinary mode in a plasma and propagating perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field caused by a counterstreaming of electrons along the latter is studied using a Vlasov plasma model. The results show that (i) for weak magnetic fields, the thermal effects stabilise the ordinary mode; (ii) for strong magnetic fields, the thermal effects destabilise the ordinary mode.     

Nonlinear coupling between electromagnetic fields in a strongly magnetized electron-positron plasma

The nonlinear coupling between electromagnetic fields in a strongly magnetized electron-positron plasma is considered. We point out that compressional magnetic field perturbations are excited by the rotational part of the nonlinear current, and derive a new nonlinear system of equations that is basic for studies of modulational instabilities and coherent nonlinear structures in magnetized electron-positron plasmas.     

Effects of external magnetic field on the outflows of an accretion disc

The aim of this work is to study the effects of an external magnetic field generated by a magnetized compact star on the outflows of its accretion disc. For this purpose, we solve a set of magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) equations for an accretion disc in spherical coordinates to consider the disc structure along the θ-direction. We also consider the magnetic field of a compact star beyond its surface as a dipolar field, producing a toroidal magnetic field inside the disc. We convert the equations to a set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) as a function of the θ only by applying self-similar assumptions in the radial direction. Then, this set of equations is solved under symmetrical boundary conditions in the equatorial plane to obtain the velocity field. The results are considered in the gas-pressure-dominated (GPD) region and radiation-pressure-dominated (RPD) region as well. The dipolar field of the compact stars can significantly enhance the speed of outflows. It also can change the structure of the disc. The results of this work would be useful in the study of X-ray binaries, the origin of ultra-relativistic outflows, and jet formation around the compact stars.     

Alfvén-Jeans and Magnetosonic Modes in Multispecies Self-Gravitating Dusty Plasmas

Perpendicularly propagating electromagnetic waves in magnetized, multispecies, self-gravitating dusty plasmas are investigated in terms of their wave dispersion properties as well as with respect to their susceptibility to gravitational collapse. In particular, waves on the ordinary as well as extraordinary mode branches are considered. Within the one-dimensional propagation model employed, all modes except the ordinary mode produce density perturbations that can be unstable to gravitational collapse. The wavelengths that are unstable are comparable to the well-known Jeans length for a neutral gas/dust, but there are interesting modifications due to the presence of a magnetic field and charged particles. Furthermore, the effects of the gravitational coupling of a multicomponent plasma to a neutral dust are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

On the central core in MHD winds and jets

We analytically determine the structure of highly magnetized astrophysical jets at the origin in a region where the flow has been already collimated by an external medium, in both relativistic and non-relativistic regimes. We show that this can be achieved by solving a system of first-order ordinary differential equations that describe the transversal jet structure for a variety of external confining pressure profiles that collimate the jet to a near-cylindrical configuration. We obtain solutions for a central jet surrounded either by a self-similar wind or by an external pressure profile and derive the dependence of the velocity and the magnetic field strength along and across our jets. In particular, we find that the central core in a jet – the part of a flow with a nearly homogeneous magnetic field – must contain a poloidal field which is not much smaller than the critical value B _min. This allows us to determine the magnetic flux in a core which is much smaller than the total magnetic flux. We show that for such a small core flux the solutions with a magnetic field in a core much smaller than B _min are non-physical. For astrophysical objects the value of the critical magnetic field is quite large: 1 G for active galactic nuclei, 10¹⁰ G for gamma-ray bursts and 10⁻¹ G for young stellar objects. In a relativistic case for the core field greater than or of the order of B _min we show analytically that the plasma Lorentz factor must grow linearly with the cylindrical radius. For non-relativistic highly magnetized jets we propose that an oblique shock exists near the base of the jet so that the finite gas pressure plays an important role in force balance.     

Electromagnetic radiation from line sources interacting with a moving uniaxial dielectric or plasma half-space

The problem of electromagnetic radiation from electric and magnetic line sources interacting with a moving uniaxially anisotropic dielectric or plasma half-space is treated. The anisotropy of the plasma is due to an infinitely strong magnetizing field impressedparallel to the motion of plasma. The line source is oriented normal to the direction of medium motion. TheE and theH modes are excited independently in the medium by the magnetic and the electric line sources, respectively. Invoking the saddle-point method of integration, the far-zone radiation field and the radiation pattern are obtained for both line sources. It is found that the radiation from an electric line source is not affected by the anisotropy of the moving medium and that a magnetic line source invacuum has finite components of radiation in directions which are parallel and antiparallel to the direction of motion, for the case of a uniaxial plasma in contrast to the results for a uniaxial dielectric. Numerical results for the far-zone radiation pattern, referring to a magnetic line source, are presented for several values of parameters characterizing the non-dimensional velocity, the anisotropy of the medium, the electron-plasma density and the location of the line source.     

Effect of thermal conductivity on the gravitational instability of a magnetized rotating plasma through a porous medium in the presence of suspended particles

The self-gravitational instability of an ionized, thermally-conducting, magnetized, rotating plasma flow through a porous medium has been studied in the presence of suspended particles. The ionized gas-particle medium has been considered rotating along and perpendicular to the vertical magnetic field. Propagation of the plasma waves has been studied for the longitudinal and the transverse modes for both the cases of rotation. A general dispersion relation has been derived with the help of relevant perturbation equations, using the method of normal mode analysis. The Jeans criterion determines the condition of gravitational instability in all the cases with some modifications introduced by the various parameters considered. Thermal conductivity replaces the adiabatic sonic speed by the isothermal one. Considering the longitudinal mode of propagation with perpendicular rotational axis, for an inviscid plasma with adiabatic behaviour the effect of both, the rotation and the suspended particles has been removed by the magnetic field. For the transverse mode of propagation with the axis of rotation parallel to the magnetic field, the viscosity removes the effect of both, the rotation and the suspended particles. Porosity reduces the effect of both, the rotation and the magnetic field, whereas the concentration of the suspended particles reduces the rotational effect.     

Radiation of magnetoacoustic waves in the interstellar medium by physical variable stars

Radially pulsating stars are shown to radiate fast and slow magnetoacoustic waves into the interstellar gas. No Alfvén waves are excited, because the oscillations are radially symmetric. Calculations were performed for the following two limiting cases: hot, weakly magnetized interstellar plasma and cold plasma with a strong magnetic field. In these limiting cases, pulsating stars excite mostly fast magnetoacoustic waves, while the excitation of slow magnetoacoustic waves is weak. Magnetogasdynamic fields of density, velocity, and magnetic-field perturbations in the interstellar medium were found. Relations were derived to calculate the radiated power and its estimates are given for various conditions in the medium. It is shown that radially stratified wave structures with wavelengths from 1 AU to several tenths of a parsec must exist in the vicinity of pulsating stars.     

Gravitational stability of finitely conducting two-component plasma through porous medium

The gravitational stability of magnetized self-gravitating two-component plasma of finite conductivity flowing through porous medium is studied. Effect of magnetic field, porosity, viscosity, finite conductivity, and neutral gas friction is considered on the stability of the system. Dispersion relations are derived from linearized equations using normal mode analysis. Longitudinal and transverse wave propagations are discussed. On the basis of Hurwitz criterion, the stability of the system is discussed. It is found that Jeans's criterion determines the stability of the system. Jeans's expression depends on the sonic speeds in both the components. For transverse wave propagation in perfectly conducting plasma. Jeans's expression is modified due to magnetic field and porosity but in case of finitely conducting plasma the Jeans's expression remains unaltered. Collisional frequency, viscosity, permeability of the porous medium have damping effect.     

Electromagnetic fields of slowly rotating compact magnetized stars in braneworld

We study the structure of electromagnetic field of slowly rotating magnetized star in a Randall-Sundrum II type braneworld. The star is modeled as a sphere consisting of perfect highly magnetized fluid with infinite conductivity and frozen-in dipolar magnetic field. Maxwell’s equations for the external magnetic field of the star in the braneworld are analytically solved in approximation of small distance from the surface of the star. We have also found numerical solution for the electric field outside the rotating magnetized neutron star in the braneworld in dependence on brane tension. The influence of brane tension on the electromagnetic energy losses of the rotating magnetized star is underlined. Obtained “brane” corrections are shown to be relevant and have non-negligible values. In comparison with astrophysical observations on pulsars spindown data they may provide an evidence for the brane tension and, thus, serve as a test for the braneworld model of the Universe.     

Magnetic fields and the dynamics of spiral galaxies

We investigate the dynamics of magnetic fields in spiral galaxies by performing 3D magnetohydrodynamics simulations of galactic discs subject to a spiral potential using cold gas, warm gas and a two-phase mixture of both. Recent hydrodynamic simulations have demonstrated the formation of interarm spurs as well as spiral arm molecular clouds, provided the interstellar medium model includes a cold H  i phase. We find that the main effect of adding a magnetic field to these calculations is to inhibit the formation of structure in the disc. However, provided a cold phase is included, spurs and spiral arm clumps are still present if β≳ 0.1 in the cold gas. A caveat to the two-phase calculations though is that by assuming a uniform initial distribution, β≳ 10 in the warm gas, emphasizing that models with more consistent initial conditions and thermodynamics are required. Our simulations with only warm gas do not show such structure, irrespective of the magnetic field strength.
Furthermore, we find that the introduction of a cold H  i phase naturally produces the observed degree of disorder in the magnetic field, which is again absent from simulations using only warm gas. Whilst the global magnetic field follows the large-scale gas flow, the magnetic field also contains a substantial random component that is produced by the velocity dispersion induced in the cold gas during the passage through a spiral shock. Without any cold gas, the magnetic field in the warm phase remains relatively well ordered apart from becoming compressed in the spiral shocks. Our results provide a natural explanation for the observed high proportions of disordered magnetic field in spiral galaxies and we thus predict that the relative strengths of the random and ordered components of the magnetic field observed in spiral galaxies will depend on the dynamics of spiral shocks.     

Acceleration of charged particles in the magnetosphere of a collapsing star and their nonthermal electromagnetic radiation

We investigate a transformation of a magnetic field and plasma in nonhomogeneous magnetospheres of collapsing stars with a dipole initial magnetic field and certain initial energy distributions of particles in the magnetosphere as the power low, relativistic Maxwell and Boltzmann. The betatron mechanism of the charged particles acceleration in a collapsing star’s magnetosphere is considered. When a magnetized star is compressed in the stage of the gravitational collapse, the magnetic field increases strongly. This variable magnetic field generates a vortical electric field. Our calculations show that this electric field will accelerate charged particles up to relativistic velocities. Thus, collapsing stars may be sources of high energy cosmic rays in our galaxy as in others. The acceleration of particles during the collapse happens mostly in polar regions of the magnetosphere that leads to polar relativistic streams (jets) formation. When moving in a magnetic field, these particles will generate nonthermal electromagnetic radiation in a broad electromagnetic wavelength band from radioto gamma rays. Thus, in the stage of the gravitational collapse, relativistic jets are formed in stellar magnetospheres. These jets are powerful sources of the nonthermal electromagnetic radiation.     

On the dynamic efficiency of internal shocks in magnetized relativistic outflows

We study the dynamic efficiency of conversion of kinetic-to-thermal/magnetic energy of internal shocks in relativistic magnetized outflows. We model internal shocks as being caused by collisions of shells of plasma with the same energy flux and a non-zero relative velocity. The contact surface, where the interaction between the shells takes place, can break up either into two oppositely moving shocks (in the frame where the contact surface is at rest), or into a reverse shock and a forward rarefaction. We find that for moderately magnetized shocks (magnetization  σ≃ 0.1  ), the dynamic efficiency in a single two-shell interaction can be as large as 40 per cent. Thus, the dynamic efficiency of moderately magnetized shocks is larger than in the corresponding unmagnetized two-shell interaction. If the slower shell propagates with a sufficiently large velocity, the efficiency is only weakly dependent on its Lorentz factor. Consequently, the dynamic efficiency of shell interactions in the magnetized flow of blazars and gamma-ray bursts is effectively the same. These results are quantitatively rather independent on the equation of state of the plasma. The radiative efficiency of the process is expected to be a fraction   f _r < 1  of the estimated dynamic one, the exact value of f _r depending on the particularities of the emission processes which radiate away the thermal or magnetic energy of the shocked states.     

The instability of the electromagnetic ordinary modes in counterstreaming and counterrotating plasmas

The instability of a linearly-polarised electromagnetic ordinary mode in counterrotating plasmas and propagating perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field caused by a counterstreaming of electrons along the latter is studied using a cold-plasma model. It is found that: (i) In the presence of either a streaming or a rotation or both, the ordinary-wave propagation is possible even for frequencies less than the plasma frequency; (ii) the Coriolis forces like the applied magnetic field stabilise the ordinary modes.