# Posts Tagged field topologies

## Recent Postings from field topologies

### A Quiet Sun Transition Region Energetically Isolated Jet: Evidence to Cool Plasma Injections Into The Hot Corona

Increasing evidence for coronal heating contributions from cooler solar atmospheric layers challenges standard solar atmospheric descriptions of bright TR emission and pervasive lower TR plasma downflows. As such, questions related to the role of dynamic transients in contributing to the total coronal energy budget are elevated. Using AIA and HMI observations in conjunction with numerical models of 3D coronal magnetic field topologies, we investigate a jet that is: erupting from a footpoint shared by heated non-potential and potential loops, energetically isolated in the TR, and occurring adjacent to a small-scale coronal filament. A non-casual relationship is established between QSTR jet dynamics and magnetic flux emergence and cancelation events, witnessed in its underlying magnetic field environment. Non-potential and potential loop demise contribute to the jet via eruptive ejections driven from cooler atmospheric layers; however, in different fashions. Small-scale flaring events from potential loop reconnection with pre-existing fields, inject both hot and cool plasma blobs to coronal heights, i.e., the adjacent QSTR jet and coronal filament. Non-potential loop dynamics preludes a medium energy microflare deposit, just below the TR at the jet’s origin, that heats the jet from a cool chromospheric ballistic plasma injection. Our results are evidence to energy redistribution via chromospheric to coronal mass cycling, driven by small-scale flaring. Our results confirm speculations that cool atmospheric microflare energy deposits lead to injections of cool dense plasma to coronal heights, which here visibly shine bright as a dynamic QS transient. Finally, this work elevates arguments of non-negligible coronal heating contributions from cool atmospheric layers, in QS conditions, and increases evidence for solar wind mass feeding in the presence of dynamic QS transients.

### Field topologies in ideal and near ideal magnetohydrodynamics and vortex dynamics

Magnetic field topology frozen in ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) and its breakage in near ideal MHD are reviewed in two parts. The first part gives a physically complete description of the frozen in field topology, taking magnetic flux conservation as fundamental and treating four topics, Eulerian and Lagrangian descriptions of MHD, Chandrasekhar-Kendall and Euler-potential field representations, magnetic helicity, and inviscid vortex dynamics in comparison to ideal MHD. A corollary clarifies the challenge of achieving a high degree of the frozen in condition in numerical MHD. The second part treats field topology breakage centered on the Parker Magnetostatic Theorem on a general incompatibility of a continuous magnetic field with the dual demand of force free equilibrium and an arbitrarily prescribed, 3D field topology. Preserving field topology as a global constraint readily results in formation of tangential magnetic discontinuities, i.e., electric current sheets of zero thickness. A similar incompatibility is present in the steady, force and thermal balance of a heated radiating fluid subject to an anisotropic thermal flux conducted strictly along the frozen in magnetic field in the low beta limit. In a weakly resistive fluid the thinning of current sheets by these incompatibilities inevitably results in sheet dissipation, resistive heating and topological changes in the field despite the small resistivity. Faraday induction drives but also macroscopically limits this mode of energy dissipation, storing free energy in self organized, ideal MHD structures. This property of MHD turbulence captured by the Taylor hypothesis is reviewed in relation to the Sun’s corona, calling for a basic quantitative description of the breakdown of flux conservation in the low resistivity limit. A cylindrical, initial boundary value problem provides specificity in the review.

### M-dwarf stellar winds: the effects of realistic magnetic geometry on rotational evolution and planets

We perform three-dimensional numerical simulations of stellar winds of early-M dwarf stars. Our simulations incorporate observationally reconstructed large-scale surface magnetic maps, suggesting that the complexity of the magnetic field can play an important role in the angular momentum evolution of the star, possibly explaining the large distribution of periods in field dM stars, as reported in recent works. In spite of the diversity of the magnetic field topologies among the stars in our sample, we find that stellar wind flowing near the (rotational) equatorial plane carries most of the stellar angular momentum, but there is no preferred colatitude contributing to mass loss, as the mass flux is maximum at different colatitudes for different stars. We find that more non-axisymmetric magnetic fields result in more asymmetric mass fluxes and wind total pressures $p_{\rm tot}$ (defined as the sum of thermal, magnetic and ram pressures). Because planetary magnetospheric sizes are set by pressure equilibrium between the planet’s magnetic field and $p_{\rm tot}$, variations of up to a factor of $3$ in $p_{\rm tot}$ (as found in the case of a planet orbiting at several stellar radii away from the star) lead to variations in magnetospheric radii of about 20 percent along the planetary orbital path. In analogy to the flux of cosmic rays that impact the Earth, which is inversely modulated with the non-axisymmetric component of the total open solar magnetic flux, we conclude that planets orbiting M dwarf stars like DT~Vir, DS~Leo and GJ~182, which have significant non-axisymmetric field components, should be the more efficiently shielded from galactic cosmic rays, even if the planets lack a protective thick atmosphere/large magnetosphere of their own.

### Modeling surface magnetic fields in stars with radiative envelopes

Stars with radiative envelopes, specifically the upper main sequence chemically peculiar (Ap) stars, were among the first objects outside our solar system for which surface magnetic fields have been detected. Currently magnetic Ap stars remains the only class of stars for which high-resolution measurements of both linear and circular polarization in individual spectral lines are feasible. Consequently, these stars provide unique opportunities to study the physics of polarized radiative transfer in stellar atmospheres, to analyze in detail stellar magnetic field topologies and their relation to starspots, and to test different methodologies of stellar magnetic field mapping. Here I present an overview of different approaches to modeling the surface fields in magnetic A- and B-type stars. In particular, I summarize the ongoing efforts to interpret high-resolution full Stokes vector spectra of these stars using magnetic Doppler imaging. These studies reveal an unexpected complexity of the magnetic field geometries in some Ap stars.

### A small survey of the magnetic fields of planet-host stars

Using spectropolarimetry, we investigate the large-scale magnetic topologies of stars hosting close-in exoplanets. A small survey of ten stars has been done with the twin instruments TBL/NARVAL and CFHT/ESPaDOnS between 2006 and 2011. Each target consists of circular-polarization observations covering 7 to 22 days. For each of the 7 targets in which a magnetic field was detected, we reconstructed the magnetic field topology using Zeeman-Doppler imaging. Otherwise, a detection limit has been estimated. Three new epochs of observations of Tau Boo are presented, which confirm magnetic polarity reversal. We estimate that the cycle period is 2 years, but recall that a shorter period of 240 days can not still be ruled out. The result of our survey is compared to the global picture of stellar magnetic field properties in the mass-rotation diagram. The comparison shows that these giant planet-host stars tend to have similar magnetic field topologies to stars without detected hot-Jupiters. This needs to be confirmed with a larger sample of stars.

### A small survey of the magnetic fields of planet-host stars [Replacement]

Using spectropolarimetry, we investigate the large-scale magnetic topologies of stars hosting close-in exoplanets. A small survey of ten stars has been done with the twin instruments TBL/NARVAL and CFHT/ESPaDOnS between 2006 and 2011. Each target consists of circular-polarization observations covering 7 to 22 days. For each of the 7 targets in which a magnetic field was detected, we reconstructed the magnetic field topology using Zeeman-Doppler imaging. Otherwise, a detection limit has been estimated. Three new epochs of observations of Tau Boo are presented, which confirm magnetic polarity reversal. We estimate that the cycle period is 2 years, but recall that a shorter period of 240 days can not still be ruled out. The result of our survey is compared to the global picture of stellar magnetic field properties in the mass-rotation diagram. The comparison shows that these giant planet-host stars tend to have similar magnetic field topologies to stars without detected hot-Jupiters. This needs to be confirmed with a larger sample of stars.

### A Global Wave-Driven MHD Solar Model with a Unified Treatment of Open and Closed Magnetic Field Topologies

We describe, analyze and validate the recently developed Alfv\’en Wave Solar Model (AWSoM), a 3D global model starting from the top of the chromosphere and extending into interplanetary space (up to 1-2 AU). This model solves the extended two temperature magnetohydrodynamics equations coupled to a wave kinetic equation for low frequency Alfv\’en waves. In this picture, heating and acceleration of the plasma are due to wave dissipation and wave pressure gradients, respectively. The dissipation process is described by a fully developed turbulent cascade of counter-propagating waves. We adopt a unified approach for calculating the wave dissipation in both open and closed magnetic field lines, allowing for a self-consistent treatment of any magnetic topology. Wave dissipation is the only heating mechanism assumed in the model, and no geometric heating functions are invoked. Electron heat conduction and radiative cooling are also included. We demonstrate that the large-scale, steady-state (in the co-rotating frame) properties of the solar environment are reproduced, using three adjustable parameters: the Poynting flux of chromospheric Alfv\’en waves, the perpendicular correlation length of the turbulence, and a pseudo-reflection coefficient. We compare model results for Carrington Rotation 2063 (November-December 2007) to remote observations in the EUV and X-ray ranges from STEREO, SOHO and Hinode spacecraft, as well as to in-situ measurements performed by Ulysses. The model results are in good agreement with observations. This is the first global model capable of simultaneously reproducing the multi-wavelength observations of the lower corona and the wind structure beyond Earth’s orbit.

### MHD Shock-Clump Evolution with Self-Contained Magnetic Fields

We study the interaction of strong shock waves with magnetized clumps. Previous numerical work focused on the simplified scenario in which shocked clumps are immersed in a globally uniform magnetic field that extends through both the clump and the ambient medium. Here we consider the complementary circumstance in which the field is completely self-contained within the clumps. This could arise naturally during clump formation via dynamical or thermal instabilities for example as magnetic field pinches off from the ambient medium. Using our AMR MHD code AstroBEAR, we carry out a series of simulations with magnetized clumps that have different self-contained magnetic field configurations. We find that the clump and magnetic evolution are sensitive to the fraction of magnetic field aligned with versus perpendicular to the shock normal. The relative strength of magnetic pressure and tension in the different field configurations allows us to analytically understand the different cases of post-shock evolution. We also show how turbulence and the mixing it implies depends of the initial field configuration and suggest ways in which observed shock-clump morphology may be used as a proxy for identifying internal field topologies a posteriori.

### Three-dimensional magnetic and abundance mapping of the cool Ap star HD 24712 I. Spectropolarimetric observations in all four Stokes parameters

High-resolution spectropolarimetric observations provide simultaneous information about stellar magnetic field topologies and three-dimensional distributions of chemical elements. Here we present analysis of a unique full Stokes vector spectropolarimetric data set, acquired for the cool magnetic Ap star HD 24712. The goal of our work is to examine circular and linear polarization signatures inside spectral lines and to study variation of the stellar spectrum and magnetic observables as a function of rotational phase. HD 24712 was observed with the HARPSpol instrument at the 3.6-m ESO telescope over a period of 2010-2011. The resulting spectra have S/N ratio of 300-600 and resolving power exceeding 100000. The multiline technique of least-squares deconvolution (LSD) was applied to combine information from the spectral lines of Fe-peak and rare-earth elements. We used the HARPSPol spectra of HD 24712 to study the morphology of the Stokes profile shapes in individual spectral lines and in LSD Stokes profiles corresponding to different line masks. From the LSD Stokes V profiles we measured the longitudinal component of the magnetic field, <Bz>, with an accuracy of 5-10 G. We also determined the net linear polarization from the LSD Stokes Q and U profiles. We determined an improved rotational period of the star, P_rot = 12.45812 +/- 0.00019d. We measured <Bz> from the cores of Halpha and Hbeta lines. The analysis of <Bz> measurements showed no evidence for a significant radial magnetic field gradient in the atmosphere of HD 24712. We used our <Bz> and net linear polarization measurements to determine parameters of the dipolar magnetic field topology. We found that magnetic observables can be reasonably well reproduced by the dipolar model. We discovered rotational modulation of the Halpha core and related it a non-uniform surface distribution of rare-earth elements.

### Magnetic field topology of the RS CVn star II Pegasi

The dynamo processes in cool active stars generate complex magnetic fields responsible for prominent surface stellar activity and variability at different time scales. For a small number of cool stars magnetic field topologies were reconstructed from the time series of spectropolarimetric observations using the Zeeman Doppler imaging (ZDI) method. In this study we follow a long-term evolution of the magnetic field topology of the RS CVn binary star II Peg. We collected high-resolution circular polarisation observations of II Peg using the SOFIN spectropolarimeter at the Nordic Optical Telescope. These data cover 12 epochs spread over 7 years. A multi-line diagnostic technique in combination with a new ZDI code is applied to interpret these observations. Magnetic inversions using these data reveals evolving magnetic fields with typical local strengths of 0.5-1.0 kG and complex topologies. Despite using a self-consistent magnetic and temperature mapping technique, we do not find a clear correlation between magnetic and temperature features in the ZDI maps. Neither do we confirm the presence of persistent azimuthal field rings found in other RS CVn stars. Reconstruction of the magnetic field topology of II Peg reveals significant evolution of both the surface magnetic field structure and the extended magnetospheric field geometry. From 2004 to 2010 the total field energy drastically declined and the field became less axisymmetric. This also coincided with the transition from predominantly poloidal to mainly toroidal field topology. A qualitative comparison of the ZDI maps of II Peg with the prediction of dynamo theory suggests that the magnetic field in this star is produced mainly by the turbulent alpha^2 dynamo rather than the solar alphaOmega dynamo. Our results do not show a clear active longitude system, nor is there an evidence of the presence of an azimuthal dynamo wave.

### Three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations of M-dwarf chromospheres [Replacement]

We present first results from three-dimensional radiation magnetohydrodynamic simulations of M-type dwarf stars with CO5BOLD. The local models include the top of the convection zone, the photosphere, and the chromosphere. The results are illustrated for models with an effective temperature of 3240 K and a gravitational acceleration of log g = 4.5, which represent analogues of AD Leo. The models have different initial magnetic field strengths and field topologies. This first generation of models demonstrates that the atmospheres of M-dwarfs are highly dynamic and intermittent. Magnetic fields and propagating shock waves produce a complicated fine-structure, which is clearly visible in synthetic intensity maps in the core of the Ca II K spectral line and also at millimeter wavelengths. The dynamic small-scale pattern cannot be described by means of one-dimensional models, which has important implications for the construction of semi-empirical model atmospheres and thus for the interpretation of observations in general. Detailed three-dimensional numerical simulations are valuable in this respect. Furthermore, such models facilitate the analysis of small-scale processes, which cannot be observed on stars but nevertheless might be essential for understanding M-dwarf atmospheres and their activity. An example are so-called "magnetic tornadoes", which have recently been found on the Sun and are presented here in M-dwarf models for the first time.

### Three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations of M-dwarf chromospheres

We present first results from three-dimensional radiation magnetohydrodynamic simulations of M-type dwarf stars with CO5BOLD. The local models include the top of the convection zone, the photosphere, and the chromosphere. The results are illustrated for models with an effective temperature of 3240 K and a gravitational acceleration of log g = 4.5, which represent analogues of AD Leo. The models have different initial magnetic field strengths and field topologies. This first generation of models demonstrates that the atmospheres of M-dwarfs are highly dynamic and intermittent. Magnetic fields and propagating shock waves produce a complicated fine-structure, which is clearly visible in synthetic intensity maps in the core of the Ca II K spectral line and also at millimeter wavelengths. The dynamic small-scale pattern cannot be described by means of one-dimensional models, which has important implications for the construction of semi-empirical model atmospheres and thus for the interpretation of observations in general. Detailed three-dimensional numerical simulations are valuable in this respect. Furthermore, such models facilitate the analysis of small-scale processes, which cannot be observed on stars but nevertheless might be essential for understanding M-dwarf atmospheres and their activity. An example are so-called "magnetic tornadoes", which have recently been found on the Sun and are presented here in M-dwarf models for the first time.

### Three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations of M-dwarf chromospheres [Replacement]

We present first results from three-dimensional radiation magnetohydrodynamic simulations of M-type dwarf stars with CO5BOLD. The local models include the top of the convection zone, the photosphere, and the chromosphere. The results are illustrated for models with an effective temperature of 3240 K and a gravitational acceleration of log g = 4.5, which represent analogues of AD Leo. The models have different initial magnetic field strengths and field topologies. This first generation of models demonstrates that the atmospheres of M-dwarfs are highly dynamic and intermittent. Magnetic fields and propagating shock waves produce a complicated fine-structure, which is clearly visible in synthetic intensity maps in the core of the Ca II K spectral line and also at millimeter wavelengths. The dynamic small-scale pattern cannot be described by means of one-dimensional models, which has important implications for the construction of semi-empirical model atmospheres and thus for the interpretation of observations in general. Detailed three-dimensional numerical simulations are valuable in this respect. Furthermore, such models facilitate the analysis of small-scale processes, which cannot be observed on stars but nevertheless might be essential for understanding M-dwarf atmospheres and their activity. An example are so-called "magnetic tornadoes", which have recently been found on the Sun and are presented here in M-dwarf models for the first time.

### Dipole Collapse and Dynamo Waves in Global Direct Numerical Simulations

Magnetic fields of low-mass stars and planets are thought to originate from self-excited dynamo action in their convective interiors. Observations reveal a variety of field topologies ranging from large-scale, axial dipole to more structured magnetic fields. In this article, we investigate more than 70 three-dimensional, self-consistent dynamo models obtained by direct numerical simulations. The control parameters, the aspect ratio and the mechanical boundary conditions have been varied to build up this sample of models. Both, strongly dipolar and multipolar models have been obtained. We show that these dynamo regimes can in general be distinguished by the ratio of a typical convective length scale to the Rossby radius. Models with a predominantly dipolar magnetic field were obtained, if the convective length scale is at least an order of magnitude larger than the Rossby radius. Moreover, we highlight the role of the strong shear associated with the geostrophic zonal flow for models with stress-free boundary conditions. In this case, the above transition disappears and is replaced by a region of bistability for which dipolar and multipolar dynamos co-exist. We interpret our results in terms of dynamo eigenmodes using the so-called test-field method. We can thus show that models in the dipolar regime are characterized by an isolated ‘single mode’. Competing overtones become significant as the boundary to multipolar dynamos is approached. We discuss how these findings relate to previous models and to observations.

### Analytic and numerical models of the 3D multipolar magnetospheres of pre-main sequence stars

Traditionally models of accretion of gas on to T Tauri stars have assumed a dipole stellar magnetosphere, partly for simplicity, but also due to the lack of information about their true magnetic field topologies. Before and since the first magnetic maps of an accreting T Tauri star were published in 2007 a new generation of magnetospheric accretion models have been developed that incorporate multipole magnetic fields. Three-dimensional models of the large-scale stellar magnetosphere with an observed degree of complexity have been produced via numerical field extrapolation from observationally derived T Tauri magnetic maps. Likewise, analytic and magnetohydrodynamic models with multipolar stellar magnetic fields have been produced. In this conference review article we compare and contrast the numerical field extrapolation and analytic approaches, and argue that the large-scale magnetospheres of some (but not all) accreting T Tauri stars can be well described by tilted dipole plus tilted octupole field components. We further argue that the longitudinal field curve, whether derived from accretion related emission lines, or from photospheric absorption lines, provides poor constrains on the large-scale magnetic field topology and that detailed modeling of the rotationally modulated Stokes V signal is required to recover the true field complexity. We conclude by examining the advantages, disadvantages and limitations of both the field extrapolation and analytic approaches, and also those of magnetohydrodynamic models.

### Coronal Magnetic Field Structure and Evolution for Flaring AR 11117 and its Surroundings

In this study, the photospheric vector magnetograms, obtained with the Synoptic Optical Long-term Investigations of the Sun survey (SOLIS), are used as the boundary conditions to model the three-dimensional nonlinear force-free (NLFF) coronal magnetic fields in spherical geometry as a sequence of nonlinear force-free equilibria. We study the coronal magnetic field structure inside active regions and its temporal evolution. We attempt to compare the magnetic field configuration pre-and-post flaring event of active region 11117 and its surroundings observed on 27 October 2010 with two snapshots taken pre-and-post a small C1.2 flare of time cadence 1 hour and 28 min. We compare the magnetic field topologies and the magnetic energy densities and study the connectivities between the active region 11117 and its surroundings. During the investigated period, we estimate the change in free magnetic energies before and after flare to be 1.74×10^{32}erg which represents only 13.5% of nonlinear force-free magnetic energy before the flare and consequently only a small C1.2 flare occurred. However, the free magnetic energy accumulates before and is released during the flare which appears to be the case for both large and small flares.

### Coronal Magnetic Field Structure and Evolution for Flaring AR 11117 and its Surroundings [Replacement]

In this study, photospheric vector magnetograms obtained with the Synoptic Optical Long-term Investigations of the Sun survey (SOLIS), are used as boundary conditions to model the three-dimensional nonlinear force-free (NLFF) coronal magnetic fields as a sequence of nonlinear force-free equilibria in spherical geometry. We study the coronal magnetic field structure inside active regions and its temporal evolution. We compare the magnetic field configuration obtained from NLFF extrapolation before and after flaring event in active region (AR) 11117 and its surroundings observed on 27 October 2010. We compare the magnetic field topologies and the magnetic energy densities and study the connectivities between AR 11117 and its surroundings. During the investigated time period, we estimate the change in free magnetic energy from before to after the flare to be 1.74×10^{32}erg which represents about 13.5% of nonlinear force-free magnetic energy before the flare. In this study, we find that electric currents from AR 11117 to its surroundings were disrupted after the flare.

### Magnetic Connectivity between Active Regions 10987, 10988, and 10989 by Means of Nonlinear Force-Free Field Extrapolation

Extrapolation codes for modelling the magnetic field in the corona in cartesian geometry do not take the curvature of the Sun’s surface into account and can only be applied to relatively small areas, \textit{e.g.}, a single active region. We apply a method for nonlinear force-free coronal magnetic field modelling of photospheric vector magnetograms in spherical geometry which allows us to study the connectivity between multi-active regions. We use vector magnetograph data from the Synoptic Optical Long-term Investigations of the Sun survey (SOLIS)/Vector Spectromagnetograph(VSM) to model the coronal magnetic field, where we study three neighbouring magnetically connected active regions (ARs: 10987, 10988, 10989) observed on 28, 29, and 30 March 2008, respectively. We compare the magnetic field topologies and the magnetic energy densities and study the connectivities between the active regions(ARs). We have studied the time evolution of magnetic field over the period of three days and found no major changes in topologies as there was no major eruption event. From this study we have concluded that active regions are much more connected magnetically than the electric current.

### Magnetic fields and differential rotation on the pre-main sequence I: The early-G star HD 141943 - brightness and magnetic topologies

Spectroscopic and spectropolarimetric observations of the pre-main sequence early-G star HD 141943 were obtained at four observing epochs (in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010). The observations were undertaken at the 3.9-m Anglo-Australian Telescope using the UCLES echelle spectrograph and the SEMPOL spectropolarimeter visitor instrument. Brightness and surface magnetic field topologies were reconstructed for the star using the technique of least-squares deconvolution to increase the signal-to-noise of the data. The reconstructed brightness maps show that HD 141943 had a weak polar spot and a significant amount of low latitude features, with little change in the latitude distribution of the spots over the 4 years of observations. The surface magnetic field was reconstructed at three of the epochs from a high order (l <= 30) spherical harmonic expansion of the spectropolarimetric observations. The reconstructed magnetic topologies show that in 2007 and 2010 the surface magnetic field was reasonably balanced between poloidal and toroidal components. However we find tentative evidence of a change in the poloidal/toroidal ratio in 2009 with the poloidal component becoming more dominant. At all epochs the radial magnetic field is predominantly non-axisymmetric while the azimuthal field is predominantly axisymmetric with a ring of positive azimuthal field around the pole similar to that seen on other active stars.

### The Hanle Effect as a Diagnostic of Magnetic Fields in Stellar Envelopes. V. Thin Lines from Keplerian Disks

This paper focuses on the polarized profiles of resonance scattering lines that form in magnetized disks. Optically thin lines from Keplerian planar disks are considered. Model line profiles are calculated for simple field topologies of axial fields (i.e., vertical to the disk plane) and toroidal fields (i.e., purely azimuthal). A scheme for discerning field strengths and geometries in disks is developed based on Stokes Q-U diagrams for the run of polarization across line profiles that are Doppler broadened by the disk rotation. A discussion of the Hanle effect for magnetized disks in which the magnetorotational instability (MRI) is operating is also presented. Given that the MRI has a tendency to mix the vector field orientation, it may be difficult to detect the disk fields with the longitudinal Zeeman effect, since the amplitude of the circularly polarized signal scales with the net magnetic flux in the direction of the observer. The Hanle effect does not suffer from this impediment, and so a multi-line analysis could be used to constrain field strengths in disks dominated by the MRI.

### Magnetic Structure of Rapidly Rotating FK Comae-Type Coronae

We present a three-dimensional simulation of the corona of an FK Com-type rapidly rotating G giant using a magnetohydrodynamic model that was originally developed for the solar corona in order to capture the more realistic, non-potential coronal structure. We drive the simulation with surface maps for the radial magnetic field obtained from a stellar dynamo model of the FK Com system. This enables us to obtain the coronal structure for different field topologies representing different periods of time. We find that the corona of such an FK Com-like star, including the large scale coronal loops, is dominated by a strong toroidal component of the magnetic field. This is a result of part of the field being dragged by the radial outflow, while the other part remains attached to the rapidly rotating stellar surface. This tangling of the magnetic field,in addition to a reduction in the radial flow component, leads to a flattening of the gas density profile with distance in the inner part of the corona. The three-dimensional simulation provides a global view of the coronal structure. Some aspects of the results, such as the toroidal wrapping of the magnetic field, should also be applicable to coronae on fast rotators in general, which our study shows can be considerably different from the well-studied and well-observed solar corona. Studying the global structure of such coronae should also lead to a better understanding of their related stellar processes, such as flares and coronal mass ejections, and in particular, should lead to an improved understanding of mass and angular momentum loss from such systems.

### Using Faraday Rotation to Probe MHD Instabilities in Intracluster Media [Replacement]

It has recently been suggested that conduction-driven magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instabilities may operate at all radii within an intracluster medium (ICM), and profoundly affect the structure of a cluster’s magnetic field. Where MHD instabilities dominate the dynamics of an ICM, they will re-orient magnetic field lines perpendicular to the temperature gradient inside a cooling core, or parallel to the temperature gradient outside it. This characteristic structure of magnetic field could be probed by measurements of polarized radio emission from background sources. Motivated by this possibility we have constructed 3-d models of a magnetized cooling core cluster and calculated Faraday rotation measure (RM) maps in the plane of the sky under realistic observing conditions. We compare a scenario in which magnetic field geometry is characterized by conduction driven MHD instabilities to that where it is determined by isotropic turbulent motions. We find that future high-sensitivity spectro-polarimetric measurements of RM, such as will be enabled by the Expanded Very Large Array and Square Kilometer Array can distinguish between these two cases with plausible exposure times. Such observations will test the existence of conduction-driven MHD instabilities in dynamically relaxed cooling core clusters. More generally, our findings imply that observations of Faraday RM should be able to discern physical mechanisms that result in qualitatively different magnetic field topologies, without a priori knowledge about the nature of the processes.

### Using Faraday Rotation to Probe MHD Instabilities in Intracluster Media

It has recently been suggested that conduction-driven magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instabilities may operate at all radii within an intracluster medium (ICM), and profoundly affect the structure of a cluster’s magnetic field. Where MHD instabilities dominate the dynamics of an ICM, they will re-orient magnetic field lines perpendicular to the temperature gradient inside a cooling core, or parallel to the temperature gradient outside it. This characteristic structure of magnetic field could be probed by measurements of polarized radio emission from background sources. Motivated by this possibility we have constructed 3-d models of a magnetized cooling core cluster and calculated Faraday rotation measure (RM) maps in the plane of the sky under realistic observing conditions. We compare a scenario in which magnetic field geometry is characterized by conduction driven MHD instabilities to that where it is determined by the turbulent motions. We find that future high-sensitivity spectro-polarimetric measurements of RM, such as will be enabled by the Square Kilometer Array can distinguish between these two cases, even with modest exposure times. Such observations will test the existence of conduction-driven MHD instabilities in dynamically relaxed cooling core clusters and especially in the subclass of clusters in which temperature profiles are nearly isothermal at large radii. More generally, our findings imply that observations of Faraday RM should be able to discern physical mechanisms that result in qualitatively different magnetic field topologies, without a priori knowledge about the nature of the processes.

### Radiation Spectral Synthesis of Relativistic Filamentation

We present an efficient "in situ" method for collecting synthetic radiation spectra from particle-in-cell simulations of collisionless plasmas. The method is applied to the specific case study of radiation spectra forming during relativistic filamentation. Our synthesized spectra are compared with a semi-analytical model for jitter radiation, which has been parameterized using field topologies and particle distributions obtained from simulations reported here. Screened ion current channel formation is seen to modify radiation spectra more in the case of baryonic filamentation than in the case of pair plasmas. For transient high-energy plasma events, the electromagnetic field evolution dominates the spectral signature of the observed phenomenon entirely. We argued that inferring the correct physics when comparing observed and synthetic spectra, demands synthesizing spectra from fully 3D3V kinetic plasmas simulations.

### Radiation Spectral Synthesis of Relativistic Filamentation [Replacement]

We present an efficient "in situ" method for collecting synthetic radiation spectra from particle-in-cell simulations of collisionless plasmas. The method is applied to the specific case study of radiation spectra forming during relativistic filamentation. Our synthesized spectra are compared with a semi-analytical model for jitter radiation, which has been parameterized using field topologies and particle distributions obtained from simulations reported here. Screened ion current channel formation is seen to modify radiation spectra more in the case of baryonic filamentation than in the case of pair plasmas. For transient high-energy plasma events, the electromagnetic field evolution dominates the spectral signature of the observed phenomenon entirely. We argued that inferring the correct physics when comparing observed and synthetic spectra, demands synthesizing spectra from fully 3D3V kinetic plasmas simulations.

### Radiation Spectral Synthesis of Relativistic Filamentation [Replacement]

Radiation from many astrophysical sources, e.g. gamma-ray bursts and active galactic nuclei, is believed to arise from relativistically shocked collisionless plasmas. Such sources often exhibit highly transient spectra evolving rapidly, compared with source lifetimes. Radiation emitted from these sources is typically associated with non-linear plasma physics, complex field topologies and non-thermal particle distributions. In such circumstances a standard synchrotron paradigm may fail to produce accurate conclusions regarding the underlying physics. Simulating spectral emission and spectral evolution numerically in various relativistic shock scenarios is then the only viable method to determine the detailed physical origin of the emitted spectra. In this Letter we present synthetic radiation spectra representing the early stage development of the filamentation (streaming) instability of an initially unmagnetized plasma, which is relevant for both collisionless shock formation and reconnection dynamics in relativistic astrophysical outflows, as well as for laboratory astrophysics experiments. Results were obtained using a highly efficient "in situ" diagnostics method, based on detailed particle-in-cell modeling of collisionless plasmas. The synthetic spectra obtained here are compared with those predicted by a semi-analytical model for jitter radiation from the filamentation instability, the latter including self-consistent generated field topologies and particle distributions obtained from the simulations reported upon here. Spectra exhibit dependence on the presence – or absence – of an inert plasma constituent, when comparing baryonic plasmas (i.e. containing protons) with pair plasmas. The results also illustrate that considerable care should be taken when using lower-dimensional models to obtain information about the astrophysical phenomena generating observed spectra.

### Radiation Spectral Synthesis of Relativistic Filamentation [Replacement]

Radiation from many astrophysical sources, e.g. gamma-ray bursts and active galactic nuclei, is believed to arise from relativistically shocked collisionless plasmas. Such sources often exhibit highly transient spectra evolving rapidly, compared with source lifetimes. Radiation emitted from these sources is typically associated with non-linear plasma physics, complex field topologies and non-thermal particle distributions. In such circumstances a standard synchrotron paradigm may fail to produce accurate conclusions regarding the underlying physics. Simulating spectral emission and spectral evolution numerically in various relativistic shock scenarios is then the only viable method to determine the detailed physical origin of the emitted spectra. In this Letter we present synthetic radiation spectra representing the early stage development of the filamentation (streaming) instability of an initially unmagnetized plasma, which is relevant for both collisionless shock formation and reconnection dynamics in relativistic astrophysical outflows, as well as for laboratory astrophysics experiments. Results were obtained using a highly efficient "in situ" diagnostics method, based on detailed particle-in-cell modeling of collisionless plasmas. The synthetic spectra obtained here are compared with those predicted by a semi-analytical model for jitter radiation from the filamentation instability, the latter including self-consistent generated field topologies and particle distributions obtained from the simulations reported upon here. Spectra exhibit dependence on the presence – or absence – of an inert plasma constituent, when comparing baryonic plasmas (i.e. containing protons) with pair plasmas. The results also illustrate that considerable care should be taken when using lower-dimensional models to obtain information about the astrophysical phenomena generating observed spectra.

### The Parker Magnetostatic Theorem

We demonstrate the Parker Magnetostatic Theorem in terms of a small neighborhood in solution space containing continuous force-free magnetic fields in small deviations from the uniform field. These fields are embedded in a perfectly conducting fluid bounded by a pair of rigid plates where each field is anchored, taking the plates perpendicular to the uniform field. Those force-free fields obtainable from the uniform field by continuous magnetic footpoint displacements at the plates have field topologies that are shown to be a restricted subset of the field topologies similarly created without imposing the force-free equilibirum condition. The theorem then follows from the deduction that a continuous nonequilibrum field with a topology not in that subset must find a force-free state containing tangential discontinuities.

### Rotational studies in the Orion Nebula Cluster: from solar mass stars to brown dwarfs

Rotational studies at a variety of ages and masses are important for constraining the angular momentum evolution of young stellar objects (YSO). Of particular interest are the very low mass (VLM) stars and brown dwarfs (BDs), because of the significant lack of known rotational periods in that mass range. We provide for the first time information on rotational periods for a large sample of young VLM stars and BDs. This extensive rotational period study in the 1 Myr old Orion Nebula Cluster (ONC) is based on a deep photometric monitoring campaign using the Wide Field Imager (WFI) camera on the ESO/MPG 2.2m telescope on La Silla, Chile. Accurate I-band photometry of 2908 stars was obtained, extending three magnitudes deeper than previous studies in the ONC. We found 487 periodic variables with estimated masses between 0.5 Msun and 0.015 Msun, 124 of which are BD candidates. This is by far the most extensive and complete rotational period data set for young VLM stars and BDs. In addition, 808 objects show non-periodic brightness variations. We study the dependence of the period distribution on mass and variability level and compare this with known higher mass objects in the ONC (Herbst et al. 2002) and with the 2 Myr old cluster NGC 2264 (Lamm et al., 2004). We find that substellar objects rotate on average faster than the VLM stars. Our rotational data also suggest a dependence of the rotational periods on position within the field, which can be explained by a possible age spread in the ONC. In addition, periodic variables with larger peak-to-peak amplitudes rotate on average slower than those with small peak-to-peak amplitude variations, which can possibly be explained by different magnetic field topologies.