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The stability of a velocity shear in the presence of an inhomogeneous magnetic field

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Abstract

The stability of a velocity shear in the presence of a parallel but non-uniform magnetic field is considered in general terms. Two special cases are then investigated; (i) the well known case of a plane interface at which a discontinuity in the magnetic field coincides with the velocity shear; (ii) an axially symmetric flow in which discontinuities in the magnetic and velocity fields occur at a cylindrical surface whose axis is parallel to the flow. In the first case the flow is stabilized if the rms Alfvén velocity of the magnetic field exceeds the shear velocity; a result consistent with that obtained by other writers. In the second case it is shown that the discontinuity in the magnetic field increases the stability of the system. The significance of this result for the stability of the flux ropes associated with sunspots in the solar convection zone is considered.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Applied Mathematics, University of Sydney, Australia

    P. R. Wilson

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  1. P. R. Wilson
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Wilson, P.R. The stability of a velocity shear in the presence of an inhomogeneous magnetic field. Astrophys Space Sci 26, 363–369 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00645619

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00645619

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