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Effects of magnetic–vortical interactions on magnetic splitting

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 April 2025

Linlin Kang Open the ORCID record for Linlin Kang [Opens in a new window] ,
Yanru Wang ,
Zhongzheng Jiang ,
Jinhua Hao Open the ORCID record for Jinhua Hao [Opens in a new window] ,
Shiying Xiong Open the ORCID record for Shiying Xiong [Opens in a new window] ,
Dixia Fan Open the ORCID record for Dixia Fan [Opens in a new window]  and
Weicheng Cui
Linlin Kang
Affiliation:
Hangzhou International Innovation Institute, Beihang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311115, PR China Key Laboratory of Coastal Environment and Resources of Zhejiang Province, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310030, PR China
Yanru Wang
Affiliation:
Department of Engineering Mechanics, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310027, PR China
Zhongzheng Jiang
Affiliation:
Department of Engineering Mechanics, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310027, PR China
Jinhua Hao
Affiliation:
Kuaishou Technology, Beijing 100085, PR China
Shiying Xiong*
Affiliation:
Department of Engineering Mechanics, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310027, PR China
Dixia Fan
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Coastal Environment and Resources of Zhejiang Province, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310030, PR China
Weicheng Cui
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Coastal Environment and Resources of Zhejiang Province, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310030, PR China
*
Corresponding author: Shiying Xiong, [email protected]
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Abstract

We propose an analytical approach based on the Frenet–Serret (FL) frame field, where an FL frame and the corresponding curvature and torsion are defined at each point along magnetic field lines, to investigate the evolution of magnetic tubes and their interaction with vortex tubes in magnetohydrodynamics. Within this framework, simplified expressions for the Lorentz force, its curl, the dynamics of flux tubes and helicity are derived. We further perform direct numerical simulations on the linkage between the magnetic and vortex tubes and investigate the effect of the initial angle $\theta$, ranging from $0^{\,\circ}$ to $45^{\,\circ}$, on their evolution. Our results show that magnetic tubes with non-zero curvature generate Lorentz forces, which in turn produce dipole vortices. These dipole vortices lead to the splitting of the magnetic tubes into smaller structures, releasing magnetic energy. Both magnetic and vortex tubes exhibit quasi-Lagrangian behaviour, maintaining similar shapes during initial evolution and consistent relative positions over time. A vortex tube with strength comparable to that of the magnetic tube, where the kinetic energy induced by the vortex tube is of the same order as the magnetic energy in the magnetic tube, can inhibit magnetic tube splitting by disrupting the formation of vortex dipoles. Additionally, minor variations in the angular configuration of the vortex tubes significantly influence their interaction with the magnetic field and the evolution of large-scale flow structures.

JFM classification

MHD and Electrohydrodynamics: Magnetic fluids Vortex Flows: Vortex dynamics Mathematical Foundations: Topological fluid dynamics
Type
JFM Papers
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 1009 , 10 May 2025 , A55
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© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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