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Advanced Magnetohydrodynamics |
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This workshop intends to join and exploit state-of-the-art
expertise in magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) plasma
modeling, and thereby identify the most challenging open questions common to
laboratory and astrophysical applications. In a timely follow-up to the ‘Principles
of Magnetohydrodynamics’ Lorentz Centre workshop in
march 2005, this workshop will center on the invariably multi-disciplinary
aspect of current MHD research, where advanced numerical and analytical
techniques combine to pursue modern plasma physics research. The targeted
subthemes include: • Advanced MHD
spectroscopy: starting from the most recent insights in linear waves and stability properties of
flowing MHD equilibria, where contemporary
methods for (quadratic) generalized eigenvalue
problems feature in astrophysically relevant
configurations, such as solar coronal loops, to magnetized accretion disks and
astrophysical jet flows. For the latter application, extensions of proven
techniques from non-relativistic to relativistic flow regimes must be
initiated. In fusion plasmas, the effect of background flows on the stability
of magnetically caged, hot plasmas has only recently witnessed increased
attention. Our guiding question will be: Can
we compute all eigenoscillations for flowing
laboratory as well as astrophysical plasma configurations, and does such knowledge
of the entire spectrum of modes yield unique information to reconstruct the background
equilibrium configuration? Does it give clues to which mode-mode interactions may
prevail in further nonlinear evolutions? • Computational MHD
challenges: identifying the most desired improvements in the main algorithmic strategies for large-scale
computing in magneto-fluid dynamics; with coexisting regions of dominant
kinetic, thermal and magnetic field energies in scaleencompassing
simulations. Here, we also envision to take stock of
novel hierarchical algorithms where a multiplicity of discretization
schemes, or even multiple physics models are handled, coupling dynamics
happening across intrinsically different sizes and timescales. We will discuss:
Which plasma dynamical phenomena truly
require hybrid, multiple physics approaches, and how does this relate to
contemporary coding efforts? • Contemporary solar and
astrophysical research frontiers: where extensions
to pure ideal MHD treatments have become essential to confront computational
predictions with observational reality. This includes radiative
treatments in MHD simulations, as well as relativistic MHD regimes, with
applications ranging from solar physics (flux emergence, prominence formation,
. . . ) over (proto-)stellar systems (where magnetic fields control
star-accretion-disk-jet dynamics), up to the higher and highest energy
phenomena in our observable universe (pulsar magnetospheres, magnetars, gamma-ray-burst modeling). Our guiding principle
here is: Where do we stand when
confronting our simulations with actual data, from solar to extragalactic
applications? [Back] |
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