Three-dimensional evolution of magnetic and velocity shear driven instabilities in a compressible magnetized jet

Jun, 2009
33 pages
Published in:
  • Phys.Plasmas 16 (2009) 062302
e-Print:

Citations per year

201320142015201610
Abstract: (arXiv)
The problem of three-dimensional combined magnetic and velocity shear driven instabilities of a compressible magnetized jet modeled with a plane neutral/current double vortex sheet in the framework of the resistive magnetohydrodynamics is addressed. The resulting dynamics given by the stream+current sheet interaction is analyzed and the effects of a variable geometry of the basic fields are considered. Depending on the basic asymptotic magnetic field configuration, a selection rule of the linear instability modes can be obtained. Hence, the system follows a two-stage path developing either through a fully three-dimensional dynamics with a rapid evolution of kink modes leading to a final turbulent state, or rather through a driving two-dimensional instability pattern that develops on parallel planes on which a reconnection+coalescence process takes place.