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arXiv · 1411.7797

Explosive Instability and Erupting Flux Tubes in a Magnetised Plasma Atmosphere

S. C. Cowley·B. Cowley·S. A. Henneberg·H. R. Wilson
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Abstract

The eruption of multiple flux tubes in a magnetised plasma atmosphere is proposed as a mechanism for explosive release of energy in plasmas. Linearly stable isolated flux tubes are shown to be metastable in a box model magnetised atmosphere in which ends of the field lines are embedded in conducting walls. The energy released by destabilising such field lines can be a significant fraction of the gravitational energy stored in the system. This energy can be released in a fast dynamical time.

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S. C. Cowley, B. Cowley, S. A. Henneberg, H. R. Wilson. 2014-11-28. Explosive Instability and Erupting Flux Tubes in a Magnetised Plasma Atmosphere. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2014.0913

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