Quantifying magnetic fluxes and reconnection rates in complex fields
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Dundee
Department Name: Mathematics
Abstract
The Sun's atmosphere, as well as the atmospheres of most stars, consists of a hot plasma which is structured by a complex magnetic field. At random intervals the structure of this magnetic field undergoes a sudden local change, a so-called magnetic reconnection event, which can trigger minor or major outbreaks of plasma. These outbreaks heat the atmosphere and release plasma from the solar atmosphere into the interplanetary space. It is suspected that these reconnection processes occur not in the form of individual events but more in the form of an avalanche, where an initial major event triggers a series of smaller reconnection events. However, we are unable to detect these with our current observational methods. This proposal aims to develop the theoretical tools to answer the fundamental question of whether reconnection occurs in form of a singular event or as an avalanche. One of the main goals is to identify the characteristic signature of magnetic reconnection. This 'fingerprint' of reconnection is given by a specific change in the structure of the field and can be quantified in terms of magnetic flux. In order to detect this fingerprint of reconnection in the observed magnetic fields on the Sun we have to analyse these also with respect to their structure and the magnetic fluxes involved. For this we must define certain measures, so-called topological fluxes, and the proposal aims to define these measures and provide algorithms for finding them in arbitrary magnetic fields. Eventually these will allow us to answer the main question as to whether magnetic reconnection occurs as an individual event or an avalanche. An answer to this question is not only of great interest to solar physics but also to other fields where similar plasmas are found such as in the atmospheres of other stars, in the turbulent plasma in accretion disks and the plasma in fusion devices.
People |
ORCID iD |
Gunnar Hornig (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Pontin D
(2010)
Dynamics of braided coronal loops II. Cascade to multiple small-scale reconnection events
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Wilmot-Smith A
(2011)
Heating of braided coronal loops
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Wilmot-Smith A
(2010)
Dynamics of braided coronal loops I. Onset of magnetic reconnection
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Wilmot-Smith A
(2011)
A TIME-DEPENDENT MODEL FOR MAGNETIC RECONNECTION IN THE PRESENCE OF A SEPARATOR
in The Astrophysical Journal
Yeates A
(2012)
Lagrangian coherent structures in photospheric flows and their implications for coronal magnetic structure
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Yeates A
(2013)
Unique topological characterization of braided magnetic fields
in Physics of Plasmas
Yeates A
(2014)
A complete topological invariant for braided magnetic fields
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Yeates A
(2011)
A generalized flux function for three-dimensional magnetic reconnection
in Physics of Plasmas
Yeates A
(2011)
Dynamical constraints from field line topology in magnetic flux tubes
in Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical
Yeates AR
(2010)
Topological constraints on magnetic relaxation.
in Physical review letters
Description | See under "Other outputs", "Summary" and "Summary of achievements" |
Exploitation Route | The work laid the foundation for a quantitative understanding of magnetic reconnection. This work has been build upon by many other groups in academia. It was also the foundation for a more recent work on the Taylor relaxation hypothesis which is relevant for fusion plasma physics and might in future impact on this sector. |
Sectors | Energy |
URL | http://www.maths.dundee.ac.uk/mhd/ |
Description | There is the possibility that the results on Taylor relaxation will have an impact on the design or operation of fusion devices, but this has not yet materialised. |
Sector | Energy |
Description | Polish collaboration |
Organisation | Gdansk University of Technology |
Department | Faculty of Appied Physics and Mathematics |
Country | Poland |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | This is a collaboration which emerged from a conference visit (AIMS Conference 2010 in Dresden, Germany) on a subject of mutual interest (index theory). The collaborator is a member of the Faculty of Physics and Applied Mathematics, Gdansk University of Technology Narutowicza 11/12 Str, 80-952 Gdañsk. He was interested in our results as they are an application of his theory. |
Collaborator Contribution | Prof. G. Graff helped to check some difficult proof of a theorem in index theory, his main field of research. The proof is now in a paper submitted to the Journal of Physics A. |
Impact | Submitted a further paper which contains material discussed with our collaborator. Invitation to the conference Applied Topology in Bedlewo, Poland, 22-27 July 2013 |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | Dundee Science Festival 2011 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Attended by about 200 people, mainly pupils. Education of the public. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | Five Myths about Magnetic Topology |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Paper Presentation |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | All Solar Physics PhD and undergraduate students at Departments which have Solar Physics groups in the US. We hope that this made more pupils interested in Solar Physics. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
Description | Magnetic Tangles |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Type Of Presentation | Paper Presentation |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | This is a public outreach article published in the Plus magazine, an internet magazine which aims to introduce readers to the beauty and the practical applications of mathematics. Plus is one of the projects run by the Millennium Mathematics Project at the University of Cambridge. The MMP's activities are made possible by funding received from a number of organisations and individuals committed to the future of mathematics education and to improving the public perception of mathematics. The article itself is available under http://plus.maths.org/content/magnetic-tangles Requests for other outreach articles. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
Description | Press release on magnetic topology |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Press release about a major breakthrough in our research. First published on the University Press Webpages and then subsequently picked up by newspapers. We got some feedback from people (both researchers and non-researchers) who have seen/read the article. It generally helped to raise awareness for our field of research and in particular our group in Dundee. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
Description | Science in the City |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Order 200 pupils attended, with questions and discussions Education of the public. Invitation for similar events. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |