The three-dimensional breakup of a magnetic layer |
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| Authors: | J. G. Wissink,D. W. Hughes,P .C. Matthews &dagger , M. R. E. Proctor |
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| Affiliation: | School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD;Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT;Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge, Silver Street, Cambridge CB3 9EW |
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| Abstract: | Three-dimensional numerical simulations of the instability of a layer of magnetic field caused by magnetic buoyancy are carried out over a range of parameter values. The layer breaks up into a number of interlocking magnetic flux tubes that become increasingly three-dimensional, although strongly arched flux tubes are not observed. The introduction of background rotation has the principal effect of suppressing the instability. The α -effect, which measures the twist of the flux tubes induced by the rotation, is found to be positive (in the northern hemisphere) but small in magnitude. |
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| Keywords: | MHD methods: numerical Sun: magnetic fields sunspots |
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