The effect of anisotropic viscosity on the nonlinear MHD kink instability

Quinn, J. , MacTaggart, D. and Simitev, R. (2020) The effect of anisotropic viscosity on the nonlinear MHD kink instability. Communications in Nonlinear Science and Numerical Simulation, 83, 105131. (doi: 10.1016/j.cnsns.2019.105131)

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Abstract

The kink instability of magnetohydrodynamics is believed to be fundamental to many aspects of the dynamic activity of the solar atmosphere, such as the initiation of flares and the heating of the solar corona. In this work, we investigate the importance of viscosity on the kink instability. In particular, we focus on two forms of viscosity; isotropic viscosity (independent of the magnetic field) and anisotropic viscosity (with a preferred direction following the magnetic field). Through the detailed analysis of magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the kink instability with both types of viscosity, we show that the form of viscosity has a significant effect on the nonlinear dynamics of the instability. The different viscosities allow for different flow and current structures to develop, thus affecting the behaviour of magnetic relaxation, the formation of secondary instabilities and the Ohmic and viscous heating produced. Our results have important consequences for the interpretation of solar observations of the kink instability.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Simitev, Professor Radostin and Quinn, Jamie and Mactaggart, Dr David
Authors: Quinn, J., MacTaggart, D., and Simitev, R.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Mathematics and Statistics > Mathematics
Journal Name:Communications in Nonlinear Science and Numerical Simulation
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:1007-5704
ISSN (Online):1878-7274
Published Online:22 November 2019
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V.
First Published:First published in Communications in Nonlinear Science and Numerical Simulation 83:105131
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License
Data DOI:10.5525/gla.researchdata.851

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
172865EPSRC DTP 16/17 and 17/18Tania GalabovaEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/N509668/1Research and Innovation Services