Mathematical Modeling of Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability at Tangential Discontinuities in Partially Ionized Plasma: Application to Heliopause Dynamics

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Autori principali: Titova, A. V., Korolkov, S. D., Izmodenov, V. V.
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
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author Titova, A. V.
Korolkov, S. D.
Izmodenov, V. V.
author_facet Titova, A. V.
Korolkov, S. D.
Izmodenov, V. V.
contents The stability of the heliopause, the tangential discontinuity separating the solar wind from the interstellar medium, is influenced by various processes, including the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. This study investigates the role of charge exchange collisions between protons and hydrogen (H) atoms in reduction of the Kelvin-Helmholtz growth rate at the heliopause. Using a two-dimensional gasdynamic model with the inclusion of H atoms, we perform numerical simulations of the plasma flow near the heliopause flanks. We conduct a parametric study by varying the Knudsen number. Our results indicate that charge exchange collisions play a crucial role in suppressing the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. As the Knudsen number decreases, the flow transitions from an unstable regime to a smoother state.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2506_14343
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Mathematical Modeling of Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability at Tangential Discontinuities in Partially Ionized Plasma: Application to Heliopause Dynamics
Titova, A. V.
Korolkov, S. D.
Izmodenov, V. V.
Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
Plasma Physics
The stability of the heliopause, the tangential discontinuity separating the solar wind from the interstellar medium, is influenced by various processes, including the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. This study investigates the role of charge exchange collisions between protons and hydrogen (H) atoms in reduction of the Kelvin-Helmholtz growth rate at the heliopause. Using a two-dimensional gasdynamic model with the inclusion of H atoms, we perform numerical simulations of the plasma flow near the heliopause flanks. We conduct a parametric study by varying the Knudsen number. Our results indicate that charge exchange collisions play a crucial role in suppressing the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. As the Knudsen number decreases, the flow transitions from an unstable regime to a smoother state.
title Mathematical Modeling of Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability at Tangential Discontinuities in Partially Ionized Plasma: Application to Heliopause Dynamics
topic Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
Plasma Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.14343