Numerical solution of problems of plasma dynamics with a neutral layer

Abstract

Mathematical modeling on a computer is widely used in problems of magnetic hydrodynamics and dynamics of ionized gas (plasma). In these problems, in addition to the equations of mass, momentum, and energy balance that are common in continuum mechanics, it is necessary to solve Maxwell’s equations for the electromagnetic field. An urgent and interesting problem in the theory of ionized gas is the problem of changing the topology of the magnetic field in plasma during the processes of magnetic field lines reconnection. Such situations are characteristic of plasma processes in the Earth’s magnetosphere (natural processes and the ones resulting from active experiments in space) and in laboratory facilities for the creation of closed configurations. Because of the difficulties of diagnostics, mathematical numerical modeling is of great importance. The article presents twodimensional mathematical models of the processes of magnetic field lines reconnection occurring in plasma with finite conductivity in the vicinity of the neutral surface. Effective numerical algorithms are constructed for solving problems of plasma dynamics in the approximation of one-fluid magnetohydrodynamics. Calculations are conducted taking into account dissipative processes. The problem of transportation and interaction of closed plasma configurations in a single computational domain was solved.