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Title: Dynamic Alignment and Plasmoid Formation in Relativistic Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence
Abstract

We present high-resolution 2D and 3D simulations of magnetized decaying turbulence in relativistic, resistive magnetohydrodynamics. The simulations show dynamic formation of large-scale intermittent long-lived current sheets being disrupted into plasmoid chains by the tearing instability. These current sheets are locations of enhanced magnetic-field dissipation and heating of the plasma. We find magnetic energy spectra ∝k−3/2, together with strongly pronounced dynamic alignment of Elsässer fields and of velocity and magnetic fields, for strong guide-field turbulence, whereas we retrieve spectra ∝k−5/3for the case of a weak guide-field.

 
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Award ID(s):
1910248
NSF-PAR ID:
10484957
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ;
Publisher / Repository:
DOI PREFIX: 10.3847
Date Published:
Journal Name:
The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Volume:
923
Issue:
1
ISSN:
2041-8205
Format(s):
Medium: X Size: Article No. L13
Size(s):
["Article No. L13"]
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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