Quasi-static and dynamic magnetic tension forces in arched, line-tied magnetic flux ropes. (22nd November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Myers, C E; Yamada, M; Ji, H; Yoo, J; Jara-Almonte, J; Fox, W
• Is Part Of: Plasma physics and controlled fusion. Volume 59:Number 1(2017:Jan.)
• Publication Date: 2016-11-22
• Subjects: laboratory astrophysics -- magnetic flux ropes -- coronal mass ejections -- failed eruptions; Plasma (Ionized gases) -- Periodicals; Controlled fusion -- Periodicals; 530.44
• DOI: 10.1088/0741-3335/59/1/014048
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0741-3335

Abstract

Abstract: Solar eruptions are often driven by magnetohydrodynamic instabilities such as the torus and kink instabilities that act on line-tied magnetic flux ropes. Recent laboratory experiments designed to study these eruptive instabilities have demonstrated the key role of both dynamic (Myers et al 2015 Nature 528 526) and quasi-static (Myers et al 2016 Phys. Plasmas 23 112102) magnetic tension forces in contributing to the equilibrium and stability of line-tied magnetic flux ropes. In this paper, we synthesize these laboratory results and explore the relationship between the dynamic and quasi-static tension forces. While the quasi-static tension force is found to contribute to the flux rope equilibrium in a number of regimes, the dynamic tension force is substantial mostly in the so-called failed torus regime where magnetic self-organization events prevent the flux rope from erupting.