Turbulence, plasma instabilities, transport and magnetogenesis in galaxy clusters
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Oxford
Department Name: Oxford Physics
Abstract
The clusters of galaxies are the largest structured objects in the Universe. Most of the luminous matter contained in clusters is in the form of ionised gas, or plasma (called the intracluster medium, or ICM). This plasma is believed to be in a turbulent state, i.e., it is moving in a disordered fashion. It is also permeated by tangled magnetic fields, which impart a certain elasticity to the plasma motions and also alter the motion of individual particles. All large scale processes in clusters - such as, for example, the propagation of waves and shocks, formation and movement of 'bubbles' blown by the active galaxies in cluster cores etc. - occur in this turbulent magnetised medium and are profoundly affected by it. This proposal is for an investigation of the fundamental physical properties of the ICM: what kind of turbulent motions and electromagnetic fluctuations exist in it? how is the energy of ICM motions dissipated into heat? how is heat trnasported across clusters? what is the origin and structure of magnetic fields in clusters? All these questions must be faced in order for us to be able to make sense of the rapidly increasing amount of observational evidence (obtained with radiotelescopes and with X-ray satellite observatories) and also to develop correct numerical models of clusters. More broadly, the problem of turbulence, which is at the centre of this research, is an exciting and formidable intellectual challenge, sometimes referred to as the last great unsolvedx problem of classical physics. Intertwined with the problem of magnetogenesis (the origin of cosmic magnetism), it continues to inspire both theoretical physicists and astronomers.
Organisations
Publications
Schekochihin AA
(2012)
Weak Alfvén-wave turbulence revisited.
in Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics
Chen C
(2012)
THREE-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURE OF SOLAR WIND TURBULENCE
in The Astrophysical Journal
Churazov E
(2012)
X-ray surface brightness and gas density fluctuations in the Coma cluster X-ray surface brightness fluctuations in the Coma cluster
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Dapp W
(2012)
Bridging the gap: disk formation in the Class 0 phase with ambipolar diffusion and Ohmic dissipation
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Wicks RT
(2013)
Alignment and scaling of large-scale fluctuations in the solar wind.
in Physical review letters
Loureiro NF
(2013)
Fast collisionless reconnection and electron heating in strongly magnetized plasmas.
in Physical review letters
Loureiro NF
(2013)
Plasmoid and Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities in Sweet-Parker current sheets.
in Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics
Sanders JS
(2013)
Linear structures in the core of the Coma cluster of galaxies.
in Science (New York, N.Y.)
Wicks R
(2013)
CORRELATIONS AT LARGE SCALES AND THE ONSET OF TURBULENCE IN THE FAST SOLAR WIND
in The Astrophysical Journal
Description | The publication list reflects the key findings. |
Exploitation Route | Some theories and methods that were developed carry over to bordering disciplines and areas of activity, most importantly magnetic fusion research. |
Sectors | Energy |