Publication | Open Access
ON FORCE-FREE MAGNETIC FIELDS
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1956
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Cosmic magnetic fields in low‑density regions may be force‑free. The study asks whether an isolated, highly ionized plasma tends toward a force‑free state from arbitrary initial conditions and how the spatially varying alpha function becomes determined. The authors discuss the condition for maximum magnetic energy at a given mean‑square current density, the case of an isolated spherical plasma, and the state of minimum dissipation for a given magnetic energy. Authored by J.S.R.
S>The possibllity that cosmic magnetic fields, which occur in regions of low density, may be force-free is considered. This theory raises the questions of whether a magnetic field in an isolated piece of highly ionized matter (in the absence of external forces) tends to a force-free state from an arbitrary initial state and how alpha , a function of position, becomes determinate. These questions, from a general point of view, are considered. The condition for maximum magnetic energy for a given mean-square current density, the case of an isolated spherical plasma, and the state of minimunn dissipation for a given magnetic energy are discussed. (J.S.R.)