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2D MHD simulation of the emergence and merging of coherent structures
Author(s) -
Wu C. C.,
Chang Tom
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/1999gl003704
Subject(s) - magnetohydrodynamics , lagrangian coherent structures , physics , shear (geology) , spectral line , computational physics , geophysics , statistical physics , current sheet , magnetic field , mechanics , geology , astronomy , quantum mechanics , turbulence , petrology
A model of sporadic localized merging of coherent structures has recently been proposed by Chang to describe the dynamics of the Earth's magnetotail. Here we report the results of MHD simulations regarding the development and merging of 2D coherent structures. With a magnetic shear, such coherent structures are generated in alignment with the imposed current sheet. The calculated fluctuation spectra suggest long‐ranged correlations with power‐law characteristics.