Physics of Magnetic Flux Tubes

This book presents the physics of magnetic flux tubes, including their fundamental properties and collective phenomena in an ensemble of flux tubes. The physics of magnetic flux tubes is vital for understanding fundamental processes in the solar atmosphere that are shaped and governed by magnetic fields. The concept of magnetic flux tubes is also central to various magnetized media ranging from laboratory plasma and Earth's magnetosphere to planetary, stellar and galactic environments.

This book is the first account of the physics of magnetic flux tubes from their fundamental properties to collective phenomena in an ensembles of flux tubes. The physics of magnetic flux tubes is absolutely vital for understanding fundamental physical processes in the solar atmosphere shaped and governed by magnetic fields.

This book describes and contextualises collisionless plasma theory, and in particular collisionless plasma equilibria. The Vlasov–Maxwell theory of collisionless plasmas is an increasingly important tool for modern plasma physics research: our ability to sustain plasma in a steady-state, and to mitigate instabilities, determines the success of thermonuclear fusion power plants on Earth; and our understanding of plasma aids in the prediction and mitigation of Space Weather effects on terrestrial environments and satellites. Further afield, magnetic reconnection is a ubiquitous energy release mechanism throughout the Universe, and modern satellites are now able to make in-situ measurements with kinetic scale resolution.

Magnetohydrodynamics of the Sun is a completely new up-to-date rewrite from scratch of the 1982 book Solar Magnetohydrodynamics, taking account of enormous advances in understanding since that date. It describes the subtle and complex interaction between the Sun's plasma atmosphere and its magnetic field, which is responsible for many fascinating dynamic phenomena.