2025-08-22 カリフォルニア工科大学（Caltech）
Four braided structures. (a) astrophysical jet M-87, 3000 light years long; (b) Double Helix Nebula, 70 light years long; (c) solar prominence, 3000 kilometers long; (d) solar loop manufactured in Bellan lab at Caltech, 3 centimeters long.
Credit: (a) Passeto et al., Sophia Dagnello, NRAO/AUI/NSF; (b) NASA/JPL-Caltech/M. Morris (UCLA); (c) High Altitude Observatory Archives; (d) Yang Zhang, Caltech Bellan Plasma Lab
＜関連情報＞
- https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/braided-magnetic-flux-ropes
- https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/sz9k-6l22
磁気二重螺旋 Magnetic Double Helix
Yang Zhang and Paul M. Bellan
Physical Review Letters Published: 30 July, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/sz9k-6l22
Abstract
Magnetic flux ropes, fundamental magnetohydrodynamic structures, often form braided helical configurations with net axial current, as observed in astrophysical and laboratory plasmas. However, an equilibrium model for such structures has remained elusive. We present a first-principles derivation of the braided flux ropes equilibrium by capturing the force balance of current-carrying plasma strands. This equilibrium reproduces the observed structure of the double helix nebula and provides a powerful tool for studying magnetic self-organization, plasma confinement, and astrophysical dynamics.
