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.     

Detailed analysis of fan-shaped jets in three dimensional numerical simulation

We performed three dimensional resistive magnetohydrodynamic simulations to study the magnetic reconnection using an initially shearing magnetic field configuration(force free field with a current sheet in the middle of the computational box).It is shown that there are two types of reconnection jets:the ordinary reconnection jets and fan-shaped jets,which are formed along the guide magnetic field.The fan-shaped jets are significantly different from the ordinary reconnection jets which are ejected by magneti...     

Emission of solar radio spikes by beam-driven cyclotron resonance

The generation of bright solar radio spikes by the beam-driven cyclotron resonance maser mechanism (the resonant interaction of an electron beam with a circularly polarized wave in a background plasma under the action of a guide magnetic field) is studied. Nonlinear effects such as radiation damping and gyrophase bunching on electron energy and momentum are responsible for the enhanced direct energy conversion between the beam and the coherent wave. Factors such as beam energy spread and pitch angle distribution are analyzed. The intense maser radiation is carried at the source by the circularly polarized wave propagating along the magnetic field. Due to the magnetic field curvature, the outgoing maser radiation converts into extraordinary and ordinary modes. The extraordinary mode suffers from plasma absorption at the second harmonic layer, whereas the ordinary mode is likely to get through.     

The interaction of an obliquely incidents-polarized plane electromagnetic wave at a warm moving magnetized plasma half-space

The interaction of ans-polarized plane electromagnetic wave incident from a dielectric (or vacuum) region on awarm moving magnetized plasma half-space is considered. The external magnetic field is assumed to be normal to the direction of the wave normal and the velocity of the moving medium. Using the first three moment equations, together with Maxwell's electromagnetic equations, we construct the constitutive relations in the rest frame of the moving medium. The constitutive relations are then transformed to the laboratory frame by invokingMinkowski's equations for the moving plasma medium, and the dispersion relation for the propagating ordinary mode in the moving medium is derived. Expressions are obtained for the phase and group velocities and the index of refraction for the ordinary mode, as also for power reflection and transmission coefficients. It is found that in contrast to the case of a cold magnetized plasma, the ordinary electromagnetic mode excited in the warm magnetoplasma medium getsmodified due to the presence of an external magnetic field. In addition, the various reflection and transmission characteristics for a warm magnetoplasma depend on the velocity of the moving plasma as well as on the strength of the applied magnetic field, as against the case for a cold moving magnetized plasma. Numerical results on the reflection coefficient are presented for several values of the parameters characterizing the electron-plasma temperature, the velocity of the moving medium and the strength of the applied magnetic field.     

Magnetic classification of stony meteorites: 1. Ordinary chondrites

Abstract— We present a database of magnetic susceptibility measurements on 971 ordinary chondrites. It demonstrates that this parameter can be successfully used to characterize and classify ordinary chondrite meteorites. In ordinary chondrites, this rapid and non‐destructive measurement essentially determines the amount of metal in the sample, which occurs in a very narrow range for each chondrite class (though terrestrial weathering can result in a variable decrease in susceptibility, especially in finds). This technique is particularly useful not only for a rapid classification of new meteorites, but also as a check against curation errors in large collections (i.e., unweathered meteorites, the measured susceptibility of which lies outside the expected range, may well be misclassified or misidentified samples). Magnetic remanence, related to magnetic field measurements around asteroids, is also discussed.     

Magnetic properties of asteroids from meteorite data — Implications for magnetic anomaly detections

Magnetic measurements of meteorites suggest that small bodies (e.g. asteroids) in the Solar System have small but distinct magnetic fields produced by the bulk remanent magnetisation (NRM) of the body. Here we report calculations of magnetic fields of small bodies, assuming that they can be approximated as homogeneously magnetised spheres with dipole moments derived from NRM data on known meteorites. The magnetic fields are compared with the field of the asteroid 951 Gaspra measured by spacecraft Galileo in 1991 (Kivelson et al., 1993). The result of this comparison suggests that the field of Gaspra could be caused by an L-, H- or E-chondritic or a pallasite body. The spectral reflectance data on Gaspra suggest, however, that it is a basaltic achondrite. The problem can be resolved if Gaspra is a differentiated body, its surface material being closer to that of basaltic achondrites, and the bulk closer to ordinary chondrites or pallasites. We also present magnetic anomaly profiles along the surface of Mars such as would be measured with a magnetometer installed on a Rover-type vehicle by assuming that the main sources of the surface anomalies are the NRMs of the boulders on the Martian surface. The NRM values are taken from the data measured on SNC meteorites. The results suggest large oscillations in magnetic field intensity at the Martian surface.     

Magnetic properties of asteroids from meteorite data — Implications for magnetic anomaly detections

Magnetic measurements of meteorites suggest that small bodies (e.g. asteroids) in the Solar System have small but distinct magnetic fields produced by the bulk remanent magnetisation (NRM) of the body. Here we report calculations of magnetic fields of small bodies, assuming that they can be approximated as homogeneously magnetised spheres with dipole moments derived from NRM data on known meteorites. The magnetic fields are compared with the field of the asteroid 951 Gaspra measured by spacecraft Galileo in 1991 (Kivelson et al., 1993). The result of this comparison suggests that the field of Gaspra could be caused by an L-, H- or E-chondritic or a pallasite body. The spectral reflectance data on Gaspra suggest, however, that it is a basaltic achondrite. The problem can be resolved if Gaspra is a differentiated body, its surface material being closer to that of basaltic achondrites, and the bulk closer to ordinary chondrites or pallasites. We also present magnetic anomaly profiles along the surface of Mars such as would be measured with a magnetometer installed on a Rover-type vehicle by assuming that the main sources of the surface anomalies are the NRMs of the boulders on the Martian surface. The NRM values are taken from the data measured on SNC meteorites. The results suggest large oscillations in magnetic field intensity at the Martian surface.     

Bounds on the ideal MHD stability of line-tied 2-D coronal magnetic fields

A tractable method for investigating the linear stability of line-tied 2-D coronal magnetic fields is introduced. It is based on the Bernstein et al. (1958) energy principle and can be applied to non-isothermal equilibria with gravity, having a translational invariance. The perturbed potential energy integral is manipulated to produce either necessary conditions for stability to localized modes or sufficient conditions for stability to global modes. Each condition only requires the solution of a set of ordinary differential equations, integrated along the magnetic field lines. The tests are employed to two different classes of equilibria. A linear force-free field is shown to be completely stable, regardless of the shear. The role of pressure gradients, footpoint displacements, line-tying and stratification on an isothermal magneto-hydrostatic equilibrium is assessed.     

Dynamic confinement of jets by magnetotorsional oscillations

Many quasars and active galactic nuclei (AGN) appear in radio, optical and X-ray maps as bright nuclear sources from which emerge single or double long, thin jets. When observed with high angular resolution, these jets show evidence of structure, with bright knots separated by relatively dark regions. High percentages of polarization, sometimes more then 50 per cent, indicate the non-thermal nature of the radiation, which is well explained as the synchrotron radiation of the relativistic electrons in an ordered magnetic field.
A strong collimation of jets is probably connected with ordered magnetic fields. The mechanism of magnetic collimation first suggested by Bisnovatyi-Kogan et al. was based on the initial charge separation, which led to the creation of an oscillating electrical current, which in turn produced an azimuthal magnetic field, preventing jet expansion and disappearance. Here we consider magnetic collimation associated with the torsional oscillations of a cylinder with an elongated magnetic field. Instead of initial blobs with charge separation, we consider a cylinder with a periodically distributed initial rotation around the cylinder axis. The stabilizing azimuthal magnetic field is created by torsional oscillations, meaning that charge separation is unnecessary. An approximate simplified model is developed, and an ordinary differential equation is derived and solved numerically, making it possible to estimate quantitatively the range of parameters for which jets may be stabilized by torsional oscillations.     

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 radio brightness of the undisturbed outer solar corona in the presence of a radial magnetic field

The radio brightness of the quiet outer solar corona at a frequency of 35 MHz in the presence of a radial magnetic field is computed. It is found that the brightness temperature of the ordinary radiation increases significantly. It is also found that in the presence of a radial magnetic field, coronal holes will appear as bright emission regions on the disk and as depressions at the limb.     

Strong magnetic field helical Čerenkov effect with some astrophysica implications

It is at very strong magnetic fields that the helical Čerenkov effect, originating from the electron guiding center for an electron in helical motion in a magnetic field which is superimposed on a dielectric medium, resembles most closely the ordinary Čerenkov effect. In the absence of extremely strong magnetic fields in the laboratory, we turn our attention to the neutron stars (pulsar) and supernovae which can have magnetic fields whose values can easily be in the range of 10⁵ — 10⁹ T. The medium in which these magnetic fields reside is likely to be an ionized medium; that is, a plasma, which, as usual, may be assumed to be dominated by electrons. Here we wish to argue that in such a strong magnetic field dominated medium, at least on a classical level, radiation process associated with the helical Čerenkov radiation could be rather important.     

Radio evidence of twisted bi-polar magnetic fields in the solar corona

Observations of bi-polar type I storm centers with the Culgoora radioheliograph operating at 80 MHz show that in many cases they are not oriented as we should expect for emission in the ordinary mode and for the simplest magnetic field geometry. We interpret this as evidence for a twist in the magnetic field.     

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.     

Nonaxisymmetric Oscillations of Thin Twisted Magnetic Tubes

In this paper we study nonaxisymmetric oscillations of thin twisted magnetic tubes taking the density variation along the tube into account. We use the approximation of the zero-beta plasma. The magnetic field outside the tube is straight and homogeneous; however, it is twisted inside the tube. We assume that the azimuthal component of the magnetic field is proportional to the distance from the tube axis and that the tube is only weakly twisted (i.e., the ratio of the azimuthal and axial components of the magnetic field is small). Using the asymptotic analysis we show that the eigenmodes and eigenfrequencies of the kink and fluting oscillations are described by a classical Sturm – Liouville problem for a second-order ordinary differential equation. The main result is that the twist does not affect the kink mode.     

On the possibility of determining the coronal magnetic field from solar type III radio burst observations

A simple method of estimating the coronal magnetic field is suggested. It is based on the observational fact that the duration of the highly polarized part in type III bursts can be different, varying from a small fraction of the burst length to its total duration. We suggest that this difference is determined by the relation between the size of the region where only the ordinary wave can propagate and the size of the region where the burst is generated at a fixed frequency. The magnetic field is estimated at several tens of gauss in regions emitting highly polarized type III bursts at frequencies over 200 MHz. Density and magnetic field scales are estimated.     

Interaction of hot plasma with radiation of magnetic white dwarfs

The influence of radiation on the electron velocity distribution in a hot nonrelativistic plasma localized near the surface of magnetic white dwarfs is investigated. The part played by the plasma in the formation of cyclotron features in the optical spectrum of these stars is studied. The region of parameters where the transverse temperature of plasma is defined by the brightness temperature of extraordinary radiation at the gyrofrequency is found. When escaping from the plasma in a homogeneous magnetic field, this component forms a cyclotron line in absorption. The ordinary radiation at the gyrofrequency and both modes at higher cyclotron harmonics are in emission or absorption depending on the magnetic field strength and hot plasma density. Possible interpretation of the observed spectral features of magnetic white dwarfs in terms of the developed theory is discussed.     

Limiting polarization effect—a key link in investigating the mean profiles of radio pulsars

Using a well-known method for calculating the propagation of waves in an inhomogeneous medium, we have managed to reduce the problem of wave propagation in pulsar magnetospheres to a system of two ordinary differential equations that allow the polarization characteristics of the radio emission to be quantitatively described for any magnetic field structure and an arbitrary density profile of the outflowing plasma. We confirm that for ordinary pulsars (period P ∼ 1 s, magnetic field B ₀ ∼ 10¹² G, particle production multiplicity parameter λ ∼ 10⁴), the polarization is formed inside the light cylinder at a distance of the order of a thousand neutron star radii. For reasonable magnetic field strengths and plasma densities on the emission propagation path, the degree of circular polarization is found to be ∼5–20%, in good agreement with observations.     

On the internal structure of stars

A new model of the internal structure of certain types of celestial bodies is proposed. It is based on the concept that some neutron stars might have been formed earlier than all other type of stars, at an early stage of expansion of the universe, directly from continuous cosmic matter. Under such conditions, a neutron star after forming becomes an efficient center for the accretion of cosmic plasma. The plasma streams falling onto the neutron star carry magnetic fields with them that are created in the process (by thermoelectric currents and the dynamo process) and pack the fields tightly around the star. After a certain time, an extended and strongly magnetized plasma layer is formed around the neutron star. As a result, a stellar configuration is formed with an outer layer, mass, radius, and luminosity similar to those of an ordinary star. In the magnetized part of such a configuration, the gravitational attraction of the masses is compensated for by a magnetic pressure gradient, while the plasma is confifned by the magnetic field itself. Numerical estimates corroborate the possibility that magnetized stars exist. The radii and masses of the magnetized spheres of such stars are considerably less than the radii and masses of the corresponding configurations, so in observations they should not differ from ordinary stars: the outer layers (intermediate layer, photosphere, and chromosphere) of the magnetized configuration are the same as for an ordinary star. Structural differences may appear in the inner regions, however, involving magnetic activity and neutrino luminosity, for example.     

Strong-plane shock waves in optically-thin atmospheres in magnetogasdynamics

In this paper, similarity solutions for the propagation of strong-plane shock waves in optically-thin grey atmospheres are obtained in the presence of a magnetic field. Density and magnetic field are constant in the undisturbed gaseous medium in front of the shock. Planck's diffusion approximation has been taken into account in this problem and a comparative study has been made between the results of ordinary gasdynamics and magnetogasdynamics.