Hall magnetohydrodynamics in space and laboratory plasmas

Abstract

Hall magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) theory has been used to understand and describe a variety of space and laboratory plasma phenomena. Generally speaking, the theory is applicable to phenomena occurring on length scales shorter than an ion inertial length and time scales shorter than an ion cyclotron period. The theory has been successfully applied to structuring of sub-Alfvénic plasma expansions, and to rapid magnetic field transport in plasma opening switches. An overview of the underlying physics associated with the Hall term, and a brief description of recent research on the application of Hall MHD theory to space and laboratory processes is presented.