Discontinuities in the solar wind

The nonuniform emission of the solar wind from the sun means that conditions are established which favor the development of discontinuities in the plasma parameters. Since the solar wind is in rapid proper motion with respect to the sun and the earth, examination of these discontinuities requires that the wind velocity be transformed away. Then it is found that they satisfy the conditions of magnetohydrodynamics and can be treated as shock waves and the stationary contact surfaces consisting of either tangential or contact discontinuities. The collision-free structure of the solar wind suggests that the tangential discontinuity is the more likely contact surface as it is more capable of inhibiting diffusion which is required for a lifetime sufficient for the structure to be carried to the neighborhood of the earth.Either the shock wave or the contact surface can create signals that are detectable at the surface of the earth. The simplest surface signal to detect is the sudden impulse (SI) but other signals may be found. The existence of a field of MHD discontinuities in the solar wind should make possible the generation of ensembles of shocks and contact surfaces. Various possibilities are explored and these are discussed from the standpoint of combinations of sudden impulses at the earth's surface which are both positive and negative. Some of these are recurrent with a 27-day period; the interplanetary M region shock ensemble associated with this is discussed and the development of these structures in space is reviewed.Lastly observational evidence for interplanetary shock waves is given together with the analytic technique for establishing their geometry and comparing the derived and measured jump parameters. The applicability of the geometrical construction of the general class of MHD discontinuity to their analysis is indicated and shows the way in which the structural content of the solar wind can be classified by the use of magnetometers and plasma probes. A parametric study of the jump conditions through a shock wave can be used to verify the correctness of field measurements because of the redundancy in measurements. This also allows the details of shock structure to be examined including the intrinsic partitioning of the internal energy of the shocked plasma.     

Structure of reconnection layers in the magnetosphere

Magnetic reconnection can lead to the formation of observed boundary layers at the dayside magnetopause and in the nightside plasma sheet of the earth's magnetosphere. In this paper, the structure of these reconnection layers is studied by solving the one-dimensional Riemann problem for the evolution of a current sheet. Analytical method, resistive MHD simulations, and hybrid simulations are used. Based on the ideal MHD formulation, rotational discontinuities, slow shocks, slow expansion waves, and contact discontinuity are present in the dayside reconnection layer. Fast expansion waves are also present in the solution of the Riemann problem, but they quickly propagate out of the reconnection layer. Our study provides a coherent picture for the transition from the reconnection layer with two slow shocks in Petschek's model to the reconnection layer with a rotational discontinuity and a slow expansion wave in Levy et al's model. In the resistive MHD simulations, the rotational discontinuities are replaced by intermediate shocks or time-dependent intermediate shocks. In the hybrid simulations, the time-dependent intermediate shock quickly evolves to a steady rotational discontinuity, and the contact discontinuity does not exist. The magnetotail reconnection layer consists of two slow shocks. Hybrid simulations of slow shocks indicate that there exists a critical number,M _c, such that for slow shocks with an intermediate Mach numberM _IM _c, a large-amplitude rotational wavetrain is present in the downstream region. For slow shocks withM _I<M _c, the downstream wavetrain does not exist. Chaotic ion orbits in the downstream wave provide an efficient mechanism for ion heating and wave damping and explain the existence of the critical numberM _c in slow shocks.     

一种新的间断侦测器及其在DGM中的应用

根据单元交界面左右变量的差别,提出了一种新的间断侦测器构造方法。该间断侦测器的构造原理简单,编程实现容易。针对一维和二维Euler方程,我们将此间断侦测器用于间断Galerkin格式的数值计算中。数值实验表明本文构造的间断侦测器能够准确捕捉到激波的位置,从而只在间断区域引入限制器,在减少计算量、保证光滑区计算精度的同时,提高了激波等强间断的分辨率,能够明显地改善流动精细结构的模拟精度。     

适用于超声速的一种通量限制型紧致格式

紧致格式因其结构简单、在相同的网格点上能达到比非紧致格式更高的精度以及与谱方法相近的分辨率等优点,日益受到人们的重视。用紧致格式模拟超声速流场的主要问题之一是如何保证高阶紧致格式能光滑地捕捉到流场的各种间断。本文借鉴NND格式的思想,构造出一种总体上具有三阶精度的通量限制型紧致(LFC)格式,并成功地应用于含有激波、滑移面等复杂流动现象的数值模拟。计算结果表明这种格式不仅具有较高的精度和分辨率,而且还保证了在间断附近基本无虚假波动。     

Initial ISEE magnetometer results: Shock observation

ISEE-1 and -2 magnetic field profiles across 6 terrestrial bow shock and one interplanetary shock are examined. The interplanetary shock illustrates the behavior of a low Mach number shock. It had an upstream whistler wave precursor with an apparent wavelength of 180 km. The shock thickness was about 90 km for the thickness of the final field jump or 270 km for the exponential growth of the precursor wave packet. The ion inertial length was 50 km, upstream of the shock.Three examples of low or moderate , high Mach number, quasiperpendicular shocks are examined. These did not have upstream waves, but rather had waves growing in the field gradient. The growth length for these waves and the shock profile was of the order of the ion inertial length.Two examples of high shocks showed little coherence in field variation even though the two vehicles were only a few hundred kilometers apart. Thus, we cannot gauge their velocity and turn the time profiles into distances. The final crossing examined shows clearly the effect of changing the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field. Initially the upstream magnetic field made an angle of about 80° to the shock normal and the shock position remained fairly steady. Then the field rotated to 45° to the normal and the field profiles became very irregular and the shock position very unstable. Discrete wave packets appeared.Finally, we present the joint behavior of wave, particle and field data across some of these shocks to show some of the myriad of shock features whose behavior we are now beginning to investigate.     

NND格式在多维理想磁流体方程组中的应用

采用修正的四步Runge-Kutta方法求解三维一般曲线坐标系下的理想磁流体方程组,为克服数值振荡,加特征型NND格式进行后处理.特征型NND格式推广到求解三维磁流体(MHD)问题需要知道雅可比通量的左右特征矩阵,在具体计算时需要克服矩阵的奇性.本文用三维程序采用推广的特征NND格式计算了一维MHD激波管和二维(MHD)喷管流动,计算结果表明,特征NND格式保持了TVD格式高精度的优点,又具有计算简单的特点,在包括强弱间断等复杂波系的定常和非定常MHD流场数值模拟中是成功的.     

Interplanetary shock waves generated by solar flares

Recent observational and theoretical studies of interplanetary shock waves associated with solar flares are reviewed. An attempt is made to outline the framework for the genesis, life and demise of these shocks. Thus, suggestions are made regarding their birth within the flare generation process, MHD wave propagation through the chromosphere and inner corona, and maturity to fully-developed coronal shock waves. Their subsequent propagation into the ambient interplanetary medium and disturbing effects within the solar wind are discussed within the context of theoretical and phenomenological models. The latter — based essentially on observations — are useful for a limited interpretation of shock geometric and kinematic characteristics. The former — upon which ultimate physical understanding depends — are used for clarification and classification of the shocks and their consequences within the solar wind. Classification of limiting cases of blast-produced shocks (as in an explosion) or longer lasting ejecta (or piston-driven shocks) will hopefully be combined with the study of the flare process itself.The theoretical approach, in spite of its contribution to clarification of various concepts, contains some fundamental limitations and requires further study. Numerical simulations, for example, depend upon a non-unique set of multi-parameter initial conditions at or near the Sun. Additionally, the subtle but important influence of magnetic fields upon energy transport processes within the solar wind has not been considered in the numerical simulation approach. Similarity solutions are limited to geometrical symmetries and have not exploited their potential beyond the special cases of the blast and the constant-velocity, piston-driven shock waves. These continuum fluid studies will probably require augmentation or even replacement by plasma kinetic theory in special situations when observations indicate the presence of anomalous transport processes. Presently, for example, efforts are directed toward identification of detailed shock structures (as in the case of Earth's bow shock) and of the disturbed solar wind (such as the piston).Further progress is expected with extensive in situ and remote monitoring of the solar wind over a wide range of heliographic radii, longitudes and latitudes.This paper is a revised and updated version of an invited review originally presented at the IUGG XV General Assembly, Moscow, U.S.S.R., 2–14 August 1971.     

Numerical simulation of magnetohydrodynamic shock propagation in the corona

Recent developments in the field of numerical simulation models for the study of shock wave propagation in the corona are presented. These models are based on gasdynamic (GD) and ideal (that is, dissipationless, except at shocks) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) theories. The characteristics and physical interpretations of the results derived from these models are discussed in some detail.The most significant physical results obtained to date are provided by the two-dimensional non-planar, time-dependent, MHD numerical simulation model. In this model, the non-linear interaction among the three essential MHD waves, i.e., fast-, slow-, and Alfvén waves are demonstrated. Finally, the physical relevance of these numerical simulation models in relation to observed solar activity is presented.An invited paper presented at STIP Workshop on Shock Waves in the Solar Corona and Interplanetary Space, 15–19 June, 1980, Smolenice, Czechoslovakia.     

Numerical simulations of spicule driving mechanisms

Spicules are known as one of the most prevalent small-scale dynamic phenomena on the sun, which are likely to give considerable contribution to coronal heating and mass supply. We discuss a model of the spicules driven by a train of slow MHD shock waves propagating along a vertical expanding magnetic flux tube. The shocks are initiated due to compression of the tube by the increasing external pressure in the lower chromosphere. Downflow of spicular material depends on radiative cooling and other dissipative processes.     

MKDVB and CKB Shock Waves

This review presents results from MKDVB and CKB systems to illustrate the properties of magnetohydrodynamics intermediate shock waves. The intermediate shocks can have a family of shock structures; the shock structure and the evolution are related. Furthermore, there exists a class of time-dependent intermediate shocks. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Shock Wave Interaction with the Magnetopause

The magnetopause is in continuous motion and shock waves and impulsive acceleration events can occur. As an example, we show that the interaction of an interplanetary shock with the bow shock can generate a shock wave that after passing through the magnetosheath can interact with the magnetopause. In fluid dynamics, when a shock wave encounters a fluid discontinuity, the interface may become unstable and form bubbles and spikes. We consider this Richtmyer-Meshkov instability in magnetohydrodynamics. At the dayside magnetopause, the instability tends to be stabilized by the magnetic field. However, the shock wave interaction can initiate magnetic field reconnection for the southward IMF, which may be important in strong interplanetary shock events. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

双楔面诱导的斜爆轰波阵面的磁流体控制

基于高超声速飞行器爆轰推进发展需要,数值研究了由双楔面诱导的斜爆轰波类型及其磁流体(MHD)控制的可行性,探讨了后楔倾角变化对双楔斜爆轰流场与MHD控制的影响.结果表明:对于前、后楔倾角分别为15°与20°的双楔面诱导的斜爆轰,Lorentz力可以将不同来流马赫数条件下的稳定斜爆轰波阵面恢复到设计位置,并可以使不稳定斜爆轰波趋于稳定,但是,无法将不稳定斜爆轰波恢复到设计位置.而当后楔倾角稍微增加时,若爆轰流场稳定,同样可对斜爆轰波阵面进行有效控制.但当后楔倾角大于25°时,稳定斜爆轰波流场失稳,此时MHD无法控制流场稳定性.但若增加气体反应速率,虽然斜爆轰波不稳定,MHD控制却可使其趋于稳定,但无法将爆轰波阵面恢复到设计位置.      

A hybrid multidimensional Riemann solver to couple self-similar method with MULTV method for complex flows

Since proposed, the self-similarity variables based genuinely multidimensional Riemann solver is attracting more attentions due to its high resolution in multidimensional complex flows. However, it needs numerous logical operations in supersonic cases, which limit the method’s applicability in engineering problems greatly. In order to overcome this defect, a hybrid multidimensional Riemann solver, called HMTHS (Hybrid of MulTv and multidimensional HLL scheme based on Self-similar structures), is proposed. It simulates the strongly interacting zone by adopting the MHLLES (Multidimensional Harten-Lax-van Leer-Eifeldt scheme based on Self-similar structures) scheme at subsonic speeds, which is with a high resolution by considering the second moment in the similarity variables. Also, it adopts the MULTV (Multidimensional Toro and Vasquez) scheme, which is with a high resolution in capturing discontinuities, to simulate the flux at supersonic speeds. Systematic numerical experiments, including both one-dimensional cases and two-dimensional cases, are conducted. One-dimensional moving contact discontinuity case and sod shock tube case suggest that HMTHS can accurately capture one-dimensional expansion waves, shock waves, and linear contact discontinuities. Two-dimensional cases, such as the double Mach reflection case, the supersonic shock / boundary layer interaction case, the hypersonic flow over the cylinder case, and the hypersonic viscous flow over the double-ellipsoid case, indicate that the HMTHS scheme is with a high resolution in simulating multidimensional complex flows. Therefore, it is promising to be widely applied in both scholar and engineering areas.     

气相爆轰波马赫反射非自相似性特征的实验

为了研究在CJ(Chapman-Jouguet)状态下气相爆轰波马赫反射的非自相似性特征,搭建了由驱动段、传播段以及观测段组成的矩形管道;利用纹影和烟膜实验方法分别对3种预混气发生马赫反射现象进行了实验研究.实验结果表明:对稳态或非稳态气体,测量了马赫反射三波点位置高度,验证了马赫反射三波点轨迹线为波动的曲线,即自相似性对爆轰波马赫反射失效;非自相似性的重要特征是三波点轨迹线在楔角初始位置时基本遵循无反应冲击波理论计算结果,随后逐渐偏离并向有反应冲击波转变,之后接近平行于反应冲击波理论计算并稳定地处于两个理论值之间.最后给出在初始压力为10kPa和楔角为30°的条件下,对于所研究的3种气体,其马赫反射三波点发生转变的位置高度分别约为0.8,1.05cm以及0.5cm,可见相同初始条件下非稳态气体的马赫反射发生转变比稳态气体提前.      

进口斜激波、膨胀波干扰下等直隔离段内的激波串特性

 超燃冲压发动机的隔离段在实际工作中会受到进气道唇罩激波及肩部膨胀扇的显著干扰,本文针对这一特定问题进行了专门研究。提出了唇罩入射激波及肩部膨胀扇的模拟方法,并利用德国Achen的风洞试验对其进行了检验,而后以此研究了入射激波及肩部膨胀扇干扰下隔离段内激波串的基本形态,并分析了出口反压和激波入射位置的影响。仿真结果表明：当激波串在隔离段内不断前移时,受唇罩入射激波及其反射激波的干扰,其高速核心区交替地偏向上下壁面;与无激波入射的情况相比,此时激波串的耐反压能力显著降低,且入射点位置越高,降低幅度越大,管道内的沿程静压分布规律与Waltrup经验公式偏离程度也越来越大。该文结果可为进气道/隔离段的一体化设计提供依据。     

The interplanetary medium and its interaction with the Earth's magnetosphere

This paper reviews the principal results of direct measurements of the plasma and magnetic field by spacecraft close to the Earth (within the heliocentric distance range 0.7–1.5 AU). The paper gives an interpretation of the results for periods of decrease, minimum and increase of the solar activity. The following problems are discussed: the interplanetary plasma (chemical composition, density, solar wind flow speed, temperature, temporal and spatial variation of these parameters), the interplanetary magnetic field (intensity, direction, fluctuations and its origin), some derived parameters characterizing the physical condition of the interplanetary medium; the quasi-stationary sector structure and its connection with solar and terrestrial phenomena; the magnetohydrodynamic discontinuities in the interplanetary medium (tangential discontinuities and collisionless shock waves); the solar magnetoplasma interaction with the geomagnetic field (the collisionless bow shock wave, the magnetosheath, the magnetopause, the Earth's magnetic tail, the internal magnetosphere characteristics), the connection between the geomagnetic activity and the interplanetary medium and magnetosphere parameters; peculiarities in behaviour of the interplanetary medium and magnetosphere during geomagnetic storms; energetic aspects of the geomagnetic storms.     

Comparative characteristics of different-shaped shock waves in elastic pipelines

The occurrence of shock waves in an elastic pipeline that may develop from the solitary Gaussian or hyperbolic waves is considered. We show that the parameters of these waves (the length of path and the time of occurrence) do not differ significantly from shock waves that form from the sinusoidal ones. Also examined is the evolution of the shock wave surface of discontinuity.