Perfect magnetohydrodynamics as a field theory

dc.creatorBekenstein, Jacob D.
dc.creatorBetschart, Gerold
dc.date2006-08-10
dc.date2006-10-16
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-07T10:40:58Z
dc.date.available2026-07-07T10:40:58Z
dc.descriptionWe propose the generally covariant action for the theory of a self-coupled complex scalar field and electromagnetism which by virtue of constraints is equivalent, in the regime of long wavelengths, to perfect magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). We recover from it the Euler equation with Lorentz force, and the thermodynamic relations for a prefect fluid. The equation of state of the latter is related to the scalar field's self potential. We introduce 1+3 notation to elucidate the relation between MHD and field variables. In our approach the requirement that the scalar field be single valued leads to the quantization of a certain circulation in steps of $\hbar$; this feature leads, in the classical limit, to the conservation of that circulation. The circulation is identical to that in Oron's generalization of Kelvin's circulation theorem to perfect MHD; we here characterize the new conserved helicity associated with it. We also demonstrate the existence for MHD of two Bernoulli-like theorems for each spacetime symmetry of the flow and geometry; one of these is pertinent to suitably defined potential flow. We exhibit the conserved quantities explicitly in the case that two symmetries are simultaneously present, and give examples. Also in this case we exhibit a new conserved MHD circulation distinct from Oron's, and provide an example.
dc.descriptionRevTeX, 16 pages, no figures; clarifications added and typos corrected; version to be published in Phys. Rev. D
dc.identifierhttps://arxiv.org/abs/gr-qc/0608053
dc.identifierhttp://arxiv.org/abs/gr-qc/0608053
dc.identifierPhys.Rev.D74:083009,2006
dc.identifierdoi:10.1103/PhysRevD.74.083009
dc.identifier.urihttp://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/181491
dc.subjectGeneral Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
dc.subjectAstrophysics
dc.subjectHigh Energy Physics - Theory
dc.subjectPlasma Physics
dc.titlePerfect magnetohydrodynamics as a field theory
dc.typetext

Files

Collections