Ambipolar filamentation of turbulent magnetic fields: a numerical simulation

Franqueira, M.; Tagger, M.; Gómez de Castro, A. I.
Bibliographical reference

Astronomy and Astrophysics, v.357, p.1143-1150 (2000)

Advertised on:
5
2000
Number of authors
3
IAC number of authors
0
Citations
5
Refereed citations
4
Description
We present the results of a 2-D, two fluid (ions and neutrals) simulation of the ambipolar filamentation process, in which a magnetized, weakly ionized plasma is stirred by turbulence in the ambipolar frequency range. The higher turbulent velocity of the neutrals in the most ionized regions gives rise to a non-linear force driving them out of these regions, so that the initial ionization inhomogeneities are strongly amplified. This effect, the ambipolar filamentation, causes the ions and the magnetic flux to condense and separate from the neutrals, resulting in a filamentary structure.