arXiv subjects

Nicholas A. Murphy

Publications and source records attributed to Nicholas A. Murphy.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2022

Non-equilibrium Ionization Modeling of Petschek-type Shocks in Reconnecting Current Sheets in Solar Eruptions

Non-equilibrium ionization (NEI) is essentially required for astrophysical plasma diagnostics once the plasma status departs from ionization equilibrium assumptions. In this work, we perform fast NEI calculations combined with magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations and analyze the ionization properties of a Petschek-type magnetic reconnection current sheet during solar eruptions. Our simulation reveals Petschek-type slow-mode shocks in the classical Spitzer thermal conduction models and conduction flux-limitation situations. The results show that under-ionized features can be commonly found in shocked reconnection outflows and thermal halo regions outside the shocks. The departure from equilibrium ionization strongly depends on plasma density. In addition, this departure is sensitive to the observable target temperature: the high-temperature iron ions are strongly affected by NEI effects. The under-ionization also affects the synthetic SDO/AIA intensities, which indicates that the reconstructed hot reconnection current sheet structure may be significantly under-estimated either for temperature or apparent width. We also perform the MHD-NEI analysis on the reconnection current sheet in the classical solar flare geometry. Finally, we show the potential reversal between the under-ionized and over-ionized state at the lower tip of reconnection current sheets where the downward outflow collides with closed magnetic loops, which can strongly affect multiple SDO/AIA band ratios along the reconnection current sheet.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2022

Constraining the CME Core Heating and Energy Budget with SOHO/UVCS

We describe the energy budget of a coronal mass ejection (CME) observed on 1999 May 17 with the Ultraviolet Coronagraph Spectrometer (UVCS). We constrain the physical properties of the CME's core material as a function of height along the corona by using the spectra taken by the single-slit coronagraph spectrometer at heliocentric distances of 2.6 and 3.1 solar radii. We use plasma diagnostics from intensity ratios, such as the O VI doublet lines, to determine the velocity, density, temperature, and non-equilibrium ionization states. We find that the CME core's velocity is approximately 250 km/s, and its cumulative heating energy is comparable to its kinetic energy for all of the plasma heating parameterizations that we investigated. Therefore, the CME's unknown heating mechanisms have the energy to significantly affect the CME's eruption and evolution. To understand which parameters might influence the unknown heating mechanism, we constrain our model heating rates with the observed data and compare them to the rate of heating generated within a similar CME that was constructed by the MAS code's 3D MHD simulation. The rate of heating from the simulated CME agrees with our observationally constrained heating rates when we assume a quadratic power law to describe a self-similar CME expansion. Furthermore, the heating rates agree when we apply a heating parameterization that accounts for the CME flux rope's magnetic energy being converted directly into thermal energy. This UVCS analysis serves as a case study for the importance of multi-slit coronagraph spectrometers for CME studies.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2020

Comparative Analysis of the Solar Wind: Modeling Charge State Distributions in the Heliosphere

Non-equilibrium ionization (NEI) is a key process often times neglected when modeling astrophysical plasmas with thermodynamical timescales much shorter than the timescales for ionization and recombination. In this paper, we perform NEI modeling on a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation of the solar wind during the Whole Sun Month (Carrington Rotation 1913 from 1996 August 22 to September 18), and compare the resulting charge state distributions with in situ measurements made with the Solar Wind Ion Composition Spectrometer (SWICS) on Ulysses. We trace the wind trajectory back to 20$R_\odot$ using the velocity measured by Ulysses at about 4 AU, and obtain the plasma flow trajectory within 20$R_\odot$ using the MHD simulation data performed by Predictive Science Inc. We assume that the wind started from the solar surface and was initially in ionization equilibrium, and analyze the time-dependent ionization state of solar wind along each of the trajectories. In our analysis we: (1) obtain charge state densities and ratios for slow and fast winds based on the NEI model, and compare them with in situ observations; and (2) measure the "freeze-in" distance for several ions observed by SWICS to determine a possible correlation between when the ionization states become fixed and the electron density and outward velocity of the plasma at the freeze-in height. This study provides a stringent test on comparing charge state distributions from the outer corona predicted from simulations with in situ measurements made in the far heliosphere. This showcases the challenges in matching plasma conditions near the corona to those observed in interplanetary space.

physics.space-ph↗

arXiv2020

Magnetic reconnection in partially ionized plasmas

Magnetic reconnection has been intensively studied in fully ionized plasmas. However, plasmas are often partially ionized in astrophysical environments. The interactions between the neutral particles and ionized plasmas might strongly affect the reconnection mechanisms. We review magnetic reconnection in partially ionized plasmas in different environments from theoretical, numerical, observational and experimental points of view. We focus on mechanisms which make magnetic reconnection fast enough to compare with observations, especially on the reconnection events in the low solar atmosphere. The heating mechanisms and the related observational evidence of the reconnection process in the partially ionized low solar atmosphere are also discussed. We describe magnetic reconnection in weakly ionized astrophysical environments, including the interstellar medium and protostellar disks. We present recent achievements about fast reconnection in laboratory experiments for partially ionized plasmas.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2019

Exploring Plasma Heating in the Current Sheet Region in a Three-Dimensional Coronal Mass Ejection Simulation

We simulate a coronal mass ejection (CME) using a three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) code that includes coronal heating, thermal conduction, and radiative cooling in the energy equation. The magnetic flux distribution at 1 R$_s$ is produced by a localized subsurface dipole superimposed on a global dipole field, mimicking the presence of an active region within the global corona. Transverse electric fields are applied near the polarity inversion line to introduce a transverse magnetic field, followed by the imposition of a converging flow to form and destabilize a flux rope, producing an eruption. We examine the quantities responsible for plasma heating and cooling during the eruption, including thermal conduction, radiation, adiabatic effects, coronal heating, and ohmic heating. We find that ohmic heating is an important contributor to hot temperatures in the current sheet region early in the eruption, but in the late phase adiabatic compression plays an important role in heating the plasma there. Thermal conduction also plays an important role in the transport of thermal energy away from the current sheet region throughout the reconnection process, producing a ``thermal halo'' and widening the region of high temperatures. We simulate emission from solar telescopes for this eruption and find that there is evidence for emission from heated plasma above the flare loops late in the eruption, when the adiabatic heating is the dominant heating term. These results provide an explanation for hot supra-arcade plasma sheets that are often observed in X-rays and extreme ultraviolet wavelengths during the decay phase of large flares.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2018

Perspectives on Astrophysics Based on Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) Techniques

About two generations ago, a large part of AMO science was dominated by experimental high energy collision studies and perturbative theoretical methods. Since then, AMO science has undergone a transition and is now dominated by quantum, ultracold, and ultrafast studies. But in the process, the field has passed over the complexity that lies between these two extremes. Most of the Universe resides in this intermediate region. We put forward that the next frontier for AMO science is to explore the AMO complexity that describes most of the Cosmos.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2018

Magnetic reconnection in the low solar chromosphere with a more realistic radiative cooling model

Magnetic reconnection is the most likely mechanism responsible for the high temperature events that are observed in strongly magnetized locations around the temperature minimum in the low solar chromosphere. This work improves upon our previous work ["Magnetic Reconnection in Strongly Magnetized Regions of the Low Solar Chromosphere", The Astrophysical Journal 852, 95 (2018) ] by using a more realistic radiative cooling model computed from the OPACITY project and the CHIANTI database. We find that the rate of ionization of the neutral component of the plasma is still faster than recombination within the current sheet region. For low $β$ plasmas, the ionized and neutral fluid flows are well-coupled throughout the reconnection region resembling the single-fluid Sweet-Parker model dynamics. Decoupling of the ion and neutral inflows appears in the higher $β$ case with $β_0=1.46$, which leads to a reconnection rate about three times faster than the rate predicted by the Sweet-Parker model. In all cases, the plasma temperature increases with time inside the current sheet, and the maximum value is above $2\times10^4$~K when the reconnection magnetic field strength is greater than $500$~G. While the more realistic radiative cooling model does not result in qualitative changes of the characteristics of magnetic reconnection, it is necessary for studying the variations of the plasma temperature and ionization fraction inside current sheets in strongly magnetized regions of the low solar atmosphere. It is also important for studying energy conversion during the magnetic reconnection process when the hydrogen-dominated plasma approaches full ionization.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2017

Magnetic reconnection in strongly magnetized regions of the low solar chromosphere

Magnetic reconnection in strongly magnetized regions around the temperature minimum region of the low solar atmosphere is studied by employing MHD-based simulations of a partially ionized plasma within a reactive 2.5D multi-fluid model. It is shown that in the absence of magnetic nulls in a low $β$ plasma the ionized and neutral fluid flows are well-coupled throughout the reconnection region. However, non-equilibrium ionization-recombination dynamics play a critical role in determining the structure of the reconnection region, lead to much lower temperature increases and a faster magnetic reconnection rate as compared to simulations that assume plasma to be in ionization-recombination equilibrium. The rate of ionization of the neutral component of the plasma is always faster than recombination within the current sheet region even when the initial plasma $β$ is as high as $β_0=1.46$. When the reconnecting magnetic field is in excess of a kilogauss and the plasma $β$ is lower than 0.0145, the initially weakly ionized plasmas can become fully ionized within the reconnection region and the current sheet can be strongly heated to above $2.5\times10^4$~K, even as most of the collisionally dissipated magnetic energy is radiated away. The Hall effect increases the reconnection rate slightly, but in the absence of magnetic nulls it does not result in significant asymmetries or change the characteristics of the reconnection current sheet down to meter scales.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2017

Blob formation and ejection in coronal jets due to the plasmoid and Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities

We perform two-dimensional resistive magnetohydrodynamic simulations of coronal jets driven by flux emergence along the lower boundary. The reconnection layers are susceptible the formation of blobs that are ejected in the jet. Our simulation with low plasma $β$ (Case I) shows that magnetic islands form easily and propagate upwards in the jet. These islands are multithermal and thus are predicted to show up in hot channels (335 Å\, and 211 Å) and the cool channel (304 Å) in observations by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on the \emph{Solar Dynamics Observatory}. The islands have maximum temperatures of 8 MK, lifetimes of 120 s, diameters of 6 Mm, and velocities of 200 km s$^{-1}$. These parameters are similar to the properties of blobs observed in EUV jets by AIA\@. The Kelvin-Helmholtz instability develops in our simulation with moderately high plasma $β$ (Case II), and leads to the formation of bright vortex-like blobs above the multiple high magneto-sonic Mach number regions that appear along the jet. These vortex-like blobs can also be identified in the AIA channels. However, they eventually move downward and disappear after the high magneto-sonic Mach number regions disappear. In the lower plasma $β$ case, the lifetime for the jet is shorter, the jet and magnetic islands are formed with higher velocities and temperatures, the current sheet fragments are more chaotic, and more magnetic islands are generated. Our results show that the plasmoid instability and Kelvin-Helmholtz instability along the jet are both possible causes of the formation of blobs observed at extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelengths.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2015

The appearance, motion, and disappearance of three-dimensional magnetic null points

While theoretical models and simulations of magnetic reconnection often assume symmetry such that the magnetic null point when present is co-located with a flow stagnation point, the introduction of asymmetry typically leads to non-ideal flows across the null point. To understand this behavior, we present exact expressions for the motion of three-dimensional linear null points. The most general expression shows that linear null points move in the direction along which the vector field and its time derivative are antiparallel. Null point motion in resistive magnetohydrodynamics results from advection by the bulk plasma flow and resistive diffusion of the magnetic field, which allows non-ideal flows across topological boundaries. Null point motion is described intrinsically by parameters evaluated locally; however, global dynamics help set the local conditions at the null point. During a bifurcation of a degenerate null point into a null-null pair or the reverse, the instantaneous velocity of separation or convergence of the null-null pair will typically be infinite along the null space of the Jacobian matrix of the magnetic field, but with finite components in the directions orthogonal to the null space. Not all bifurcating null-null pairs are connected by a separator. Furthermore, except under special circumstances, there will not exist a straight line separator connecting a bifurcating null-null pair. The motion of separators cannot be described using solely local parameters, because the identification of a particular field line as a separator may change as a result of non-ideal behavior elsewhere along the field line.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2015

Asymmetric Magnetic Reconnection in Weakly Ionized Chromospheric Plasmas

Realistic models of magnetic reconnection in the solar chromosphere must take into account that the plasma is partially ionized and that plasma conditions within any two magnetic flux bundles undergoing reconnection may not be the same. Asymmetric reconnection in the chromosphere may occur when newly emerged flux interacts with pre-existing, overlying flux. We present 2.5D simulations of asymmetric reconnection in weakly ionized, reacting plasmas where the magnetic field strengths, ion and neutral densities, and temperatures are different in each upstream region. The plasma and neutral components are evolved separately to allow non-equilibrium ionization. As in previous simulations of chromospheric reconnection, the current sheet thins to the scale of the neutral-ion mean free path and the ion and neutral outflows are strongly coupled. However, the ion and neutral inflows are asymmetrically decoupled. In cases with magnetic asymmetry, a net flow of neutrals through the current sheet from the weak field (high density) upstream region into the strong field upstream region results from a neutral pressure gradient. Consequently, neutrals dragged along with the outflow are more likely to originate from the weak field region. The Hall effect leads to the development of a characteristic quadrupole magnetic field modified by asymmetry, but the X-point geometry expected during Hall reconnection does not occur. All simulations show the development of plasmoids after an initial laminar phase.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2014

Imaging and spectroscopic observations of magnetic reconnection and chromospheric evaporation in a solar flare

Magnetic reconnection is believed to be the dominant energy release mechanism in solar flares. The standard flare model predicts both downward and upward outflow plasmas with speeds close to the coronal Alfvén speed. Yet, spectroscopic observations of such outflows, especially the downflows, are extremely rare. With observations of the newly launched Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS), we report the detection of greatly redshifted ($\sim$125 km s$^{-1}$ along line of sight) Fe {\sc{xxi}} 1354.08Å emission line with a $\sim$100 km s$^{-1}$ nonthermal width at the reconnection site of a flare. The redshifted Fe {\sc{xxi}} feature coincides spatially with the loop-top X-Ray source observed by the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI). We interpret this large redshift as the signature of downward-moving reconnection outflow/hot retracting loops. Imaging observations from both IRIS and the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) also reveal the eruption and reconnection processes. Fast downward-propagating blobs along these loops are also found from cool emission lines (e.g., Si {\sc{iv}}, O {\sc{iv}}, C {\sc{ii}}, Mg {\sc{ii}}) and images of AIA and IRIS. Furthermore, the entire Fe {\sc{xxi}} line is blueshifted by $\sim$260 km s$^{-1}$ at the loop footpoints, where the cool lines mentioned above all exhibit obvious redshift, a result that is consistent with the scenario of chromospheric evaporation induced by downward-propagating nonthermal electrons from the reconnection site.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2013

Effects of the non-uniform initial environment and the guide field on the plasmoid instability

Effects of non-uniform initial mass density and temperature on the plasmoid instability are studied via 2.5-dimensional resistive magnetohydrodynamic(MHD) simulations. Our results indicate that the development of the plasmoid instability is apparently prevented when the initial plasma density at the center of the current sheet is higher than that in the upstream region. As a result, the higher the plasma density at the center and the lower the plasma $β$ in the upstream region, the higher the critical Lundquist number needed for triggering secondary instabilities. When $β=0.2$, the critical Lundquist number is higher than $10^4$. For the same Lundquist number, the magnetic reconnection rate is lower for the lower plasma $β$ case. Oppositely, when the initial mass density is uniform and the Lundquist number is low, the magnetic reconnection rate turns out to be higher for the lower plasma $β$ case. For the high Lundquist number case ($>10^4$) with uniform initial mass density, the magnetic reconnection is not affected by the initial plasma $β$ and the temperature distribution. Our results indicate that the guide field has a limited impact on the plasmoid instability in resistive MHD.

physics.space-ph↗

arXiv2013

The plasmoid instability during asymmetric inflow magnetic reconnection

Theoretical studies of the plasmoid instability generally assume that the reconnecting magnetic fields are symmetric. We relax this assumption by performing two-dimensional resistive magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the plasmoid instability during asymmetric inflow magnetic reconnection. Magnetic asymmetry modifies the onset, scaling, and dynamics of this instability. Magnetic islands develop preferentially into the weak magnetic field upstream region. Outflow jets from individual X-points impact plasmoids obliquely rather than directly as in the symmetric case. Consequently, deposition of momentum by the outflow jets into the plasmoids is less efficient, the plasmoids develop net vorticity, and shear flow slows down secondary merging between islands. Secondary merging events have asymmetry along both the inflow and outflow directions. Downstream plasma is more turbulent in cases with magnetic asymmetry because islands are able to roll around each other after exiting the current sheet. As in the symmetric case, plasmoid formation facilitates faster reconnection for at least small and moderate magnetic asymmetries. However, when the upstream magnetic field strengths differ by a factor of four, the reconnection rate plateaus at a lower value than expected from scaling the symmetric results. We perform a parameter study to investigate the onset of the plasmoid instability as a function of magnetic asymmetry and domain size. There exist domain sizes for which symmetric simulations are stable but asymmetric simulations are unstable, suggesting that moderate magnetic asymmetry is somewhat destabilizing. We discuss the implications for plasmoid and flux rope formation in solar eruptions, laboratory reconnection experiments, and space plasmas. The differences between symmetric and asymmetric simulations provide some hints regarding the nature of the three-dimensional plasmoid instability.

physics.plasm-ph↗