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Swadesh M. Mahajan

Publications and source records attributed to Swadesh M. Mahajan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
arXiv2018

Diamagnetic field states in cosmological plasmas

Using a generally covariant Electro-Vortic (magnetofluid) formalism for relativistic plasmas, the dynamical evolution of a generalized vorticity (a combination of the magnetic and kinematic parts) is studied in a cosmological context. We derive macroscopic vorticity and magnetic field structures that can emerge in spatial equilibrium configurations of the relativistic plasma. These fields, however, evolve in time. These magnetic and velocity fields fields are self-consistently sustained in a diamagnetic state in the expanding Universe, and do not require an external seed for their existence. In particular, we explore a special class of magnetic/velocity field structures supported by a plasma in which the generalized vorticity vanishes. We derive a highly interesting characteristic of such "superconductor--like" fields in a cosmological plasmas in the radiation--era in early Universe. In that case, the fields grow proportional to the scale factor, establishing a deep connection between the expanding universe and the primordial magnetic fields.

physics.plasm-ph↗
arXiv2016

Extended MHD turbulence and its applications to the solar wind

Extended MHD is a one-fluid model that incorporates two-fluid effects such as electron inertia and the Hall drift. This model is used to construct fully nonlinear Alfvénic wave solutions, and thereby derive the kinetic and magnetic spectra by resorting to a Kolmogorov-like hypothesis based on the constant cascading rates of the energy and generalized helicities of this model. The magnetic and kinetic spectra are derived in the ideal $\left(k < 1/λ_i\right)$, Hall $\left(1/λ_i < k < 1/λ_e \right)$, and electron inertia $\left(k > 1/λ_e\right)$ regimes; $k$ is the wavenumber and $λ_s = c/ω_{p s}$ is the skin depth of species `$s$'. In the Hall regime, it is shown that the emergent results are fully consistent with previous numerical and analytical studies, especially in the context of the solar wind. The focus is primarily on the electron inertia regime, where magnetic energy spectra with power-law indexes of $-11/3$ and $-13/3$ are always recovered. The latter, in particular, is quite close to recent observational evidence from the solar wind with a potential slope of approximately $-4$ in this regime. It is thus plausible that these spectra may constitute a part of the (extended) inertial range, as opposed to the standard `dissipation' range paradigm.

physics.plasm-ph↗
arXiv2015

Generalized Magnetofluid Connections in Pair Plasmas

We extend the magnetic connection theorem of ideal magnetohydrodynamics to nonideal relativistic pair plasmas. Adopting a generalized Ohm's law, we prove the existence of generalized magnetofluid connections that are preserved by the plasma dynamics. We show that these connections are related to a general antisymmetric tensor that unifies the electromagnetic and fluid fields. The generalized magnetofluid connections set important constraints on the plasma dynamics by forbidding transitions between configurations with different magnetofluid connectivity. An approximated solution is explicitly shown where the corrections due to current inertial effects are found.

physics.plasm-ph↗
arXiv2015

Novel mechanism for vorticity generation in black-hole accretion disks

Vorticity generation in accretion disks around Schwarzschild and Kerr black holes is investigated in the context of magnetofluid dynamics derived for both General Relativity (GR), and modified gravity formulations. In both cases, the Kerr geometry leads to a "stronger" generation of vorticity than its Schwarzschild counterpart. Of the two principal sources, the relativistic drive peaks near the innermost stable circular orbit (isco), whereas the baroclinic drive dominates at larger distances. Consequences of this new relativistic vorticity source are discussed in several astrophysical settings.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2015

Modeling astrophysical outflows via the unified Dynamo-Reverse Dynamo mechanism

The unified Dynamo-Reverse Dynamo (Dy-RDy) mechanism, capable of simultaneously generating large scale outflows and magnetic fields from an ambient microscopic reservoir, is explored in a broad astrophysical context. The Dy-RDy mechanism is derived via Hall magnetohydrodynamics, which unifies the evolution of magnetic field and fluid vorticity. It also introduces an intrinsic length scale, the ion skin depth, allowing for the proper normalization and categorization of microscopic and macroscopic scales. The large scale Alfvén Mach number $\mathcal{M}_{A}$, defining the relative "abundance" of the flow field to the magnetic field is shown to be tied to a microscopic scale length that reflects the characteristics of the ambient short scale reservoir. The dynamo (Dy), preferentially producing the large scale magnetic field, is the dominant mode when the ambient turbulence is mostly kinetic, while the outflow producing reverse dynamo (RDy) is the principal manifestation of a magnetically dominated turbulent reservoir. It is conjectured that an efficient RDy may be the source of many observed astrophysical outflows that have $\mathcal{M}_{A} \gg 1$.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2013

Hot Fluids and Nonlinear Quantum Mechanics

It is shown that a hot relativistic fluid could be viewed as a collection of self-interacting quantum objects. They obey a nonlinear equation which is a modification of the quantum equation obeyed by elementary constituents of the fluid. A uniform phenomenological prescription, to affect the quantum transition from a corresponding classical system, is invoked to derive the nonlinear Schrödinger, Klein-Gordon, and Pauli-Schrödinger equations. It is expected that the created nonlinear quantum mechanics would advance, in a fundamental way, both the conceptual understanding and computational abilities, particularly, in the field of extremely high energy-density physics.

physics.flu-dyn↗
arXiv2013

On a consistent macroscopic description for a spin quantum plasma with interparticle interactions

Quantum mechanical averaging of the particle concentration operator is an effective starting point for derivation of the many-particle quantum hydrodynamic equations. In many-particle quantum systems, we have to separate the ordered motion of the local center of mass (velocity field), the thermal, and the quantum motion. The quantum mechanical average process, invoked here, is completely determined, and is different from the usual averaging processes that introduces undefined probabilities for quantum states. It is shown that the Madelung decomposition for the $N$-particle spinor wave function allows the correct introduction of the velocity field, and gives explicit expressions for the quantum contributions to both the momentum, and the spin flux. The formalism also contains plasma effects produced by the Coulomb and spin-spin interparticle interactions. It is shown that both interactions appear in plasma dynamics as effective electric and magnetic fields. As result we find a fully coherent description for spin quantum plasma in the self-consistent field approximation for interparticle interactions. A simple consequence - the change brought about by interparticle correlations on the propagation of electrostatic waves in a spin quantum plasma - is discussed.

physics.plasm-ph↗
arXiv2012

Magnetic field generation in curved spacetimes

Using the generally covariant magnetofluid formalism for a hot plasma, a new curvature (of space time) driven mechanism for generating seed vorticity/magnetic field is presented. The "battery" owes its origin to the interaction between gravity (epitomized in the spatial variation of the metric tensor) and the inhomogeneous plasma thermodynamics. The general relativistic drive for the seed field is evaluated in a simplified model of a hot plasma accreting around a Schwarzschild black hole. Some astrophysical applications are suggested.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2012

Generating vorticity and magnetic fields in plasmas in general relativity: spacetime curvature drive

Using the generally covariant magnetofluid formalism for a hot plasma, a new spacetime curvature driven mechanism for generating seed vorticity/magnetic field is presented. The ``battery'' owes its origin to the interaction between gravity and the inhomogeneous plasma thermodynamics. The general relativistic drive is evaluated for two simple cases: seed formation in a simplified model of a hot plasma accreting in stable orbits around a Schwarzschild black hole, and for particles in free fall near the horizon. Some astrophysical applications are suggested.

physics.plasm-ph↗
arXiv2011

Vortical Dynamics of spinning quantum plasmas - Helicity Conservation

It is shown that a vorticity, constructed from spin field of a quantum spinning plasma, combines with the classical generalized vorticity (representing the magnetic and the velocity fields) to yield a new grand generalized vorticity that obeys the standard vortex dynamics. Expressions for the quantum or spin vorticity, and for the resulting generalized helicity invariant are derived. Reduction of the rather complex spinning quantum system to a well known and highly investigated classical form opens familiar channels for the delineation of physics peculiar to dense plasmas spanning solid state to astrophysical objects. A simple example is worked out to show that the magnetics of a spinning plasma can be much richer than that of the corresponding classical system.

physics.plasm-ph↗
arXiv2008

Wave Localization and Density Bunching in Pair Ion Plasmas

By investigating the nonlinear propagation of high intensity electromagnetic (EM) waves in a pair ion plasma, whose symmetry is broken via contamination by a small fraction of high mass immobile ions, it is shown that this new and interesting state of (laboratory created) matter is capable of supporting structures that strongly localize and bunch the EM radiation with density excess in the region of localization. Testing of this prediction in controlled laboratory experiments can lend credence, inter alia, to conjectures on structure formation (via the same mechanism) in the MEV era of the early universe.

physics.plasm-ph↗
arXiv2007

Comments on "The Coronal Heating Paradox" by M.J. Aschwanden, A. Winebarger, D. Tsiklauri and H. Peter [2007, Astrophys J., 659, 1673]

We point out the priority of our paper (Mahajan et al. 2001, Phys. Plasmas, 8, 1340) over (Aschwanden et al. 2007, Astrophys J., 659, 1673) in introducing the term "Formation and primary heating of the solar corona" working out explicit models (theory as well as simulation) for coronal structure formation and heating. On analyzing the Aschwanden et al. (2007) scenario of coronal heating process (shifted to the chromospheric heating) we stress, that for efficient loop formation, the primary upflows of plasma in chromosphere/transition region should be relatively cold and fast (as opposed to hot). It is during trapping and accumulation in closed field structures, that the flows thermalize (due to the dissipation of the short scale flow energy) leading to a bright and hot coronal structure. The formation and primary heating of a closed coronal structure (loop at the end) are simultaneous and a process like the "filling of the empty coronal loop by hot upflows" is purely speculative and totally unlikely.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2006

On a Raychaudhuri equation for hot gravitating fluids

We generalize the Raychaudhuri equation for the evolution of a self gravitating fluid to include an Abelian and non-Abelian hybrid magneto fluid at a finite temperature. The aim is to utilize this equation for investigating the dynamics of astrophysical high temperature Abelian and non-Abelian plasmas.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2006

Parametric mechanism of the rotation energy pumping by a relativistic plasma

An investigation of the kinematics of a plasma stream rotating in the pulsar magnetosphere is presented. On the basis of an exact set of equations describing the behavior of the plasma stream, the increment of the instability is obtained, and the possible relevance of this approach for the understanding of the pulsar rotation energy pumping mechanism is discussed.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2006

Yang-Mills Magneto-Fluid Unification

We generalize the hybrid magneto-fluid model of a charged fluid interacting with an electromagnetic field to the dynamics of a relativistic hot fluid interacting with a non-Abelian field. The fluid itself is endowed with a non-Abelian charge and the consequences of this generalization are worked out. Applications of this formalism to the Quark Gluon Plasma are suggested.

hep-th↗
arXiv2005

Acceleration of Plasma Flows Due to Reverse Dynamo Mechanism

The "reverse-dynamo" mechanism - the amplification/generation of fast plasma flows by micro scale (turbulent) magnetic fields via magneto-fluid coupling is recognized and explored. It is shown that macro-scale magnetic fields and flows are generated simultaneously and proportionately from micro scale fields and flows. The stronger the micro-scale driver, the stronger are the macro-scale products. Stellar and astrophysical applications are suggested.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2005

Acceleration of Plasma Flows in the Solar Atmosphere Due to Magnetofluid Coupling - Simulation and Analysis

Within the framework of a two-fluid description possible pathways for the generation of fast flows (dynamical as well as steady) in the lower solar atmosphere is established. It is shown that a primary plasma flow (locally sub-Alfvénic) is accelerated when interacting with emerging/ambient arcade--like closed field structures. The acceleration implies a conversion of thermal and field energies to kinetic energy of the flow. The time-scale for creating reasonably fast flows ($\gtrsim 100$ km/s) is dictated by the initial ion skin depth while the amplification of the flow depends on local $β$. It is shown, for the first time, that distances over which the flows become "fast" are $\sim 0.01 R_s$ from the interaction surface; later the fast flow localizes (with dimensions $\lesssim 0.05 R_S$) in the upper central region of the original arcade. For fixed initial temperature the final speed ($\gtrsim 500 km/s$) of the accelerated flow, and the modification of the field structure are independent of the time-duration (life-time) of the initial flow. In the presence of dissipation, these flows are likely to play a fundamental role in the heating of the finely structured Solar atmosphere.

astro-ph↗