Ulysses paper

J. Plasma Physics, in press, 2000.

Abstract:
The evolution of magnetic flux ropes in sheared plasma flow is investigated. When the magnetic field outside the flux rope lies parallel to the axis of the flux rope, a flux rope of circular cross-section whose centre is located at the mid-point of the shear layer, has its shape distorted, but remains in the shear layer. Small displacements of the flux rope centre above or below the mid-point of the shear layer leads to the flux rope being expelled from the shear layer. The instability arises because small asymmetries in the plasma pressure around the flux rope boundary leads to a force that forces the flux rope into a region of uniform flow. When the magnetic field outside the flux rope lies in a plane perpendiular to the flux rope axis, the flux rope and external magnetic field reconnect with each other, leading to the destruction of the flux rope.

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