Magnetoconvection in an inclined magnetic field: linear and weakly non-linear models |
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| Authors: | S D Thompson |
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| Institution: | Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0WA |
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| Abstract: | Recent observations of sunspots have revealed a rich range of behaviour and a complicated magnetic field structure; magnetoconvection is the key physical process underlying these phenomena. Traditional studies of magnetoconvection have considered vertical, or sometimes horizontal, imposed fields. Tilted fields have received less attention, and yet these are crucial to sunspot dynamics, particularly in the penumbra where field lines are inclined at a variety of angles to the vertical. Tilting the field is also interesting from a purely theoretical viewpoint since it breaks many of the symmetries usually associated with convection problems. In this paper we study the linear stability of a layer permeated by an inclined magnetic field and go on to set up model equations in order to study the patterns formed in the weakly non-linear regime. Possible applications of the results to sunspots are discussed. |
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| Keywords: | convection MHD Sun: magnetic fields sunspots |
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