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The Evolution of Disturbed Neutral Point Equilibria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 April 2016

I. J. D. Craig*
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Waikato, New Zealand

Abstract

We consider the linear and non-linear evolution of a perturbed X-type neutral point. A semi-analytic treatment is given for the case of small disturbances of the equilibrium field. This problem admits well defined azimuthal modes which allow a formally exact determination of the magnetic annihilation rate. It is shown that the longest lived modes are purely radial and decay of the timescale τ ≈ |ln η| where η defines the resistivity of the coronal plasma. Higher azimuthal modes decay much faster, generally on a fraction (O(m−1)) of the Alfvén timescale for the outer field.

We go on to perform finite amplitude calculations that demonstrate the implosive current build-up that precedes the reconnective phase of the relaxation. In general both linear and non-linear studies support the idea of an initial implosive stage which rapidly releases the bulk of the energy associated with arbitrary field disturbances.

Type
Invited
Copyright
Copyright © Astronomical Society of Australia 1991

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References

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