II. The effect of axisymmetric and spatially varying equilibria and flow on MHD wave modes: Cylindrical geometry

TL;DR

This study uses numerical methods to analyze how non-uniform plasma density and flow in cylindrical geometries affect MHD wave modes, revealing changes in eigenfunctions and vortex structures relevant for solar atmospheric observations.

Contribution

It extends previous slab models to cylindrical geometries, demonstrating the impact of radial inhomogeneity on MHD wave properties using a numerical eigenvalue approach.

Findings

Increased inhomogeneity introduces additional nodes in eigenfunctions.

Radial inhomogeneity enhances azimuthal perturbations and vortical motions.

Velocity field visualizations aid in wave mode identification in observations.

Abstract

Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves are routinely observed in the solar atmosphere. These waves are important in the context of solar physics as it is widely believed they can contribute to the energy budget of the solar atmosphere and are a prime candidate to contribute towards coronal heating. Realistic models of these waves are required representing observed configurations such that plasma properties can be determined more accurately which can not be measured directly. This work utilises a previously developed numerical technique to find permittable eigenvalues under different non-uniform equilibrium conditions in a Cartesian magnetic slab geometry. Here we investigate the properties of magnetoacoustic waves under non-uniform equilibria in a cylindrical geometry. Previously obtained analytical results are retrieved to emphasise the power and applicability of this numerical technique. Further case studies investigate the effect that a radially non-uniform plasma density and non-uniform plasma flow, modelled as a series of Gaussian profiles, has on the properties of different MHD waves. For all cases the dispersion diagrams are obtained and spatial eigenfunctions calculated which display the effects of the equilibrium inhomogeneity. It is shown that as the equilibrium non-uniformity is increased, the radial spatial eigenfunctions are affected and extra nodes introduced, similar to the previous investigation of a magnetic slab. Furthermore, azimuthal perturbations are increased with increasing inhomogeneity introducing vortical motions inside the waveguide. Finally, 2D and 3D representations of the velocity fields are shown which may be useful for observers for wave mode identification under realistic magnetic waveguides with ever increasing instrument resolution.