Analysis and numerical simulation of magnetic forces between rigid polygonal bodies. Part I: Analysis

The mathematical and physical analysis of magnetoelastic phenomena is a topic of ongoing research. Different formulae have been proposed to describe the magnetic forces in macroscopic systems. We discuss several of these formulae in the context of rigid magnetized bodies. In case the bodies are in contact, we consider formulae both in the framework of macroscopic electrodynamics and via a multiscale approach, i.e., in a discrete setting of magnetic dipole moments. We give mathematically rigorous proofs for domains of polygonal shape (as well as for more general geometries) in two and three space dimensions. In an accompanying second article, we investigate the formulae in a number of numerical experiments, where we focus on the dependence of the magnetic force on the distance between the bodies and on the case when the two bodies are in contact. The aim of the analysis as well as of the numerical simulation is to contribute to the ongoing debate about which formula describes the magnetic force between macroscopic bodies best and to stimulate corresponding real-life experiments.      

Fibrillation of solar magnetic fields

Solar magnetic structures are often observed in the form of flux tubes composed of a number of smaller elements called fibres or threads, although theoretically such concentrations should not appear but should be flattened by magnetic diffusivity into a uniform, low intensity field. In this paper we describe a mechanism which may be responsible for the fibrillation and also for the very large diffusivity which dissipates magnetic flux tubes in hours instead of years. Firstly, the electric current associated with magnetic field gradients usually increases the local electron temperature and reduces the resistivity, so that the current becomes concentrated into sheets or streamers. Secondly, the magnetic field gradients continue to increase until the current magnitude reaches its limit, which is determined by the electron-ion streaming instability. Then with appropriate temperature and number densities, the Larmor radius of the ions overlaps the near discontinuity in B_z and generates a sharply peaked fluid motion at the edge that is close to the thermal speed. Finally, the resulting vorticity generates an axial magnetic field opposing B_z in the term , and if this is sufficient to change the sign of this term, the very unstable backward heat equation results. This instability repeatedly switches on and off and maintains the magnetic structure in the fibrillated form. Such structures are eventually eliminated by magnetic diffusivity in the usual way, but because of the fluctuations in B_z, this occurs at a vastly increased rate. We show that this phenomenon increases the magnetic diffusivity, D, by a factor ~ 10⁸ in agreement with some observations of plasma loops and supergranules.     

The modelling of an electromagnetic energy harvesting architecture

In this paper a detailed mathematical model for an electromagnetic energy harvesting architecture based on a semi-analytical approach is introduced. This model estimates the generated energy of the architecture by computing the static and dynamic magnetic and electric fields that describe its dynamics. A comparison of the static fields with the results of a Finite Element Analysis simulation in COMSOL Multiphysics shows good agreement. The model also features increased accuracy and numerical stability. In the model the semi-analytical solutions for the electromagnetic damping force exerted by the induced current coil and the induced electromotive force on the coil provide additional insight into the interactions of electromagnetic induction and damping. Additionally, the energy estimation could be used as a figure of merit in an maximization process to identify the optimal dimensions of the energy harvester.     

Analysis and numerical simulation of magnetic forces between rigid polygonal bodies. Part II: Numerical simulation

The analysis of magnetoelastic phenomena is a field of active research. Formulae for the magnetic force in macroscopic systems have been under discussion for some time. In Popović et al. (Continum. Mech. Thermodyn. 2007), we rigorously justify several of the available formulae in the context of rigid bodies in two and three space dimensions. In the present, second part of our study, we investigate these formulae in a series of numerical experiments in which the magnetic force is computed in dependence on the geometries of the bodies as well as on the distance between them. In case the two bodies are in contact, i.e., in the limit as their distance tends to zero, we focus especially on a formula obtained in a discrete-to-continuum approximation. The aim of our study is to help clarify the question which force formula is the correct one in the sense that it describes nature most accurately and to suggest adequate real-life experiments for a comparison with the provided numerical data.      

Evaluation of forces in magnetic materials by means of energy and co-energy methods

The evaluation of the total force of magnetic origin acting upon a body in a stationary magnetic field is often carried out using the so-called magnetic energy (or co-energy) method, which is based on the derivation of the magnetic energy (or co-energy) with respect to a virtual rigid displacement of the considered body. The application of this method is usually justified by resorting to the energy conservation principle, written in terms both of electrical and of mechanical quantities. In this paper we shall re-examine the whole matter in the context of classical thermodynamics, in order to obtain a more comprehensive and general proof of the validity of the energy (or co-energy) approach and to point out its limitations. Two typical configurations will be discussed; in the first one, the field sources are represented by conducting bodies carrying free currents, whereas in the second one a permanent magnet creates the driving field. All magnetic materials are assumed to be non-hysteretic and permanent magnets are represented by means of the well-known linear model in the second quadrant of the (B,H) plane. Received 25 July 2001 and Received in final form 5 November 2001     

EXPONENTIAL MESH APPROXIMATIONS FOR A 3D EXTERIOR PROBLEM IN MAGNETIC INDUCTION

A numerical method combining the approaches of C.I. Goldstein and L.-A. Ying is used for the simulation in three-dimensional magnetostatics related to an exterior problem in magnetic induction. Recently introduced, this method is based on the use of a graded mesh obtained by gluing homothetic layers in the exterior domain and has been performed in the case of edge element discretizations. In this work, the theoretical and practical aspects of the method are inspected in the case of face element and volume element discretizations,for computing a magnetic induction. Error estimates, implementations, and numerical results are provided.     

Long-range atom-metal-surface interaction and interference of atomic states

The properties of two-dimensional magnetic traps for laser-cooled atoms are analysed using complex functions. The two components of the magnetic field from a series of parallel, infinitely long, current-carrying wires are represented by a single complex number. The regions of the field where paramagnetic atoms can be trapped occur where the magnetic field is zero. The locations of the zeroes of the field are obtained as the solution to a polynomial and the multiplicity m of the solution determines both the 2(m + 1)-pole nature of the trap and the field gradient through the centre. The zeroes of the field can be merged or split by varying the locations of the currents, their strengths or by applying a uniform magnetic field. The theory is applied to magnetic traps created from long thin wires or permanent magnets on a substrate. The properties of a number of magnetic trap configurations used for atom guides are discussed. Received 28 February 2001 and Received in final form 6 July 2001     

Diamagnetic interactions in disordered suspensions of metastable superconducting granules

The simulation of the transition sequence of superheated Type I superconducting granules (SSG) in disordered suspensions when an external magnetic field is slowly increased from zero has been studied. Simulation takes into account diamagnetic interactions and the presence of surface defects. Results have been obtained for the transition sequence and surface fields distribution covering a wide range of densities. These results are compared with previous analytical perturbative theory, which provides qualitative information on transitions and surface magnetic fields during transitions, but with a range of validity apparently limited to extremely dilute samples. Simulations taking into account the complete diamagnetic interactions between spheres appear to be a promising tool in interpreting SSG experiments, in applications such as particle detectors, and in some fundamental calculations of Solid State Physics. Received 6 April 2001 and Received in final form 15 October 2001     

Analytic solutions to Maxwell–London equations and levitation force for a general magnetic source in the presence of a long type-II superconducting cylinder

The interaction between a general magnetic source and a long type-II superconducting cylinder in the Meissner or mixed state is studied within the London theory. We first study the Meissner state and solve the Maxwell–London equations when the source is a magnetic monopole located at an arbitrary position. Then the field and supercurrent for a more complicated magnetic charge distribution can be obtained by superposition. A magnetic point dipole with arbitrary direction is studied in detail. It turns out that the levitation force on the dipole contains in general an angular as well as a radial component. By integration we obtain the field and supercurrent when the source is a two-dimensional monopole (a magnetically charged long thread along the axial direction), from which the results for a two-dimensional point dipole easily follow. In the latter case the levitation force points in the radial direction regardless of the orientation of the dipole. The case for a current carrying long straight wire parallel to the cylindrical axis is solved separately. The limit of ideal Meissner state is discussed in most cases. The case of mixed state is discussed briefly. It turns out that vortex lines along the axial direction and vortex rings concentric with the cylinder have no effect outside the cylinder and the levitation forces remain the same as in the case of the Meissner state.     

Stresses of a rotating circular disk of variable thickness carrying a current and bearing a coaxial viscoelastic coating

In the present work we consider a circular elastic disk (conductor) of variable thickness under the influence of a steady coaxial current and bearing a coaxial viscoelastic coating (insulator). In both conductor and insulator there exist a heat source generation. As a first step, the solution of purely elastic conductor and insulator is obtained. Then the problem of model with viscoelastic coating is solved using the correspondence principle and Ilyushin’s approximation method. A numerical example is given and the results are discussed in order to investigate the influences of time, temperature, and rotation on the stresses and displacements.