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Variational integration for ideal MHD: implementation and preliminary results

Author: Yao Zhou
Requested Type: Poster Only
Submitted: 2015-01-18 21:27:49

Co-authors: Yi-Min Huang, Hong Qin, A. Bhattacharjee

Contact Info:
Princeton Plasma Physics Lab
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ   08540
USA

Abstract Text:
Variational integrators for ideal MHD have recently been derived [1] by discretizing Newcomb's Lagrangian for ideal MHD in Lagrangian labeling using discrete exterior calculus. Besides being symplectic and momentum-preserving, the schemes inherit built-in advection equations from Newcomb's formulation, and therefore avoid solving them and the accompanying error and dissipation. Free of numerical reconnection, the method is believed to be best suited for studying problems such as spontaneous current sheet formation.

Here we report preliminary results from mesh-independent implementation of the method in 2D and 3D. In particular, we study the famous Taylor-Hahm-Kulsrud problem [2] where the discontinuous linear solution suggests existence of current sheets.

[1] Y. Zhou, H. Qin, J. W. Burby, and A. Bhattacharjee, Physics of Plasmas 21, 102109 (2014).
[2] T. S. Hahm and R. M. Kulsrud, Physics of Fluids 28, 2412 (1985).

Comments:
This abstract will be best categorized into "Computer Simulation of Plasmas".