Measurements of the Canonical Helicity of a Gyrating Kink

TL;DR

This paper presents measurements of canonical helicity in a gyrating plasma kink, demonstrating energy conversions and 3D field effects, with techniques applicable even with limited plasma data.

Contribution

It introduces a method to measure canonical flux tubes and helicity in plasma kinks, advancing understanding of energy transfer and topology in plasma physics.

Findings

Helicity measurements confirm 3D irreducible fields.

Temporal asymmetries indicate complex helicity transport.

Techniques are valid with limited plasma data.

Abstract

Conversions between magnetic and kinetic energy occur over a range of plasma scales in astrophysical and solar dynamos and reconnection in the solar corona and the laboratory. Canonical flux tubes reconcile all plasma regimes with concepts of twists, writhes, and linkages. We present measurements of canonical flux tubes, their helicity, and their helicity transport in a gyrating plasma kink. The helicity gauge is removed with general techniques valid even if only a limited section of the plasma is measured. Temporal asymmetries in the helicities confirm irreducible 3D fields in the kink.