Intensification of magnetic field in merging magnetic flux tubes driven by supergranular vortical flows

DOI: 
10.1093/mnras/stac3352
Publication date: 
15/02/2023
Main author: 
Chian, Abraham C. -L.
IAA authors: 
Bellot Rubio, Luis
Authors: 
Chian, Abraham C. -L.;Rempel, Erico L.;Silva, Suzana S. A.;Bellot Rubio, Luis;Gošić, Milan
Journal: 
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Publication type: 
Article
Volume: 
518
Pages: 
4930
Abstract: 
The spatiotemporal dynamics of vorticity and magnetic field in the region of a photospheric vortex at a supergranular junction of the quiet Sun is studied, using Hinode's continuum intensity images and longitudinal magnetograms. We show that in a 30-min interval during the vortex lifetime, the magnetic field is intensified at the centres of two merging magnetic flux tubes trapped inside the vortex boundary. Moreover, we show that the electric current density is intensified at the interface boundary layers of merging tubes, resulting from strong vortical downflows in a supergranular vertex. Evidence of Lagrangian chaos and vortex stretching in the photospheric plasma turbulence responsible for driving the intensification of magnetic fields is analysed. In particular, we report the first solar observation of the intensification of electromagnetic energy flux resulting from the merger of magnetic flux tubes.
Database: 
ADS
URL: 
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/#abs/2023MNRAS.518.4930C/abstract
ADS Bibcode: 
2023MNRAS.518.4930C
Keywords: 
chaos;turbulence;Sun: granulation;Sun: magnetic fields;Sun: photosphere