Clebsch Representation in the Theory of Minimum Energy Equilibrium Solutions in Magnetohydrodynamics

Authors

Hanno Rund, University of Arizona
Daniel R. Wells, University of Miami
Lawrence Carl Hawkins, University of MiamiFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-1978

Publication Title

Journal of Plasma Physics

ISSN

0022-3778

Volume

20

Issue/No.

3

First Page

329

Last Page

344

Abstract

The introduction of Clebsch representations allows one to formulate the problem of finding minimum energy solutions for a magneto-fluid as a well-posed problem in the calculus of variations of multiple integrals. When the latter is subjected to integral constraints, the Euler–Lagrange equations of the resulting isoperimetric problem imply that the fluid velocities are collinear with the magnetic field. If, in particular, one constraint is abolished, Alfvén velocities are obtained. In view of the idealized nature of the model treated here, further investigations of more sophisticated structures by means of Clebsch representations are anticipated. Preliminary results of a similar calculation utilizing a modified two fluid model are discussed

Comments

© Cambridge University Press 1978

NSUWorks Citation

Rund, Hanno; Wells, Daniel R.; and Hawkins, Lawrence Carl, "Clebsch Representation in the Theory of Minimum Energy Equilibrium Solutions in Magnetohydrodynamics" (1978). Mathematics Faculty Articles. 41.
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/math_facarticles/41

DOI

10.1017/S0022377800023898