On the Quasi‐Three Dimensional Configuration of Magnetic Clouds

Abstract We develop an optimization approach to model the magnetic field configuration of magnetic clouds, based on a linear force‐free formulation in three dimensions. Such a solution, dubbed the Freidberg solution, is kin to the axisymmetric Lundquist solution, but with more general “helical symme...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Qiang Hu, Wen He, Jiong Qiu, Angelos Vourlidas, Chunming Zhu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-01-01
Series:Geophysical Research Letters
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL090630
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract We develop an optimization approach to model the magnetic field configuration of magnetic clouds, based on a linear force‐free formulation in three dimensions. Such a solution, dubbed the Freidberg solution, is kin to the axisymmetric Lundquist solution, but with more general “helical symmetry.” The merit of our approach is demonstrated via its application to two case studies of in situ measured magnetic clouds. Both yield results of reduced χ2 ≈ 1. Case 1 shows a winding flux rope configuration with one major polarity. Case 2 exhibits a double‐helix configuration with two flux bundles winding around each other and rooted on regions of mixed polarities. This study demonstrates the three‐dimensional complexity of the magnetic cloud structures.
ISSN:0094-8276
1944-8007