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Differential topology method of identifying 3D null points in solar vector magnetic fields

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 November 2006

Hui Zhao
Affiliation:
National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100012, China email: zhaohui@ourstar.bao.ac.cn
Jingxiu Wang
Affiliation:
National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100012, China email: zhaohui@ourstar.bao.ac.cn
Jun Zhang
Affiliation:
National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100012, China email: zhaohui@ourstar.bao.ac.cn
Chijie Xiao
Affiliation:
National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100012, China email: zhaohui@ourstar.bao.ac.cn
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Abstract

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Employing the Poincaré index of isolated null-point in a vector field, we work out a mathematical method of searching 3D null-points in coronal magnetic fields. After introducing the theory of differential topology, we test the method by using the analytical model of Brown & Priest. The location of null-point identified by our method coincides precisely with the analytical solution. Finally we apply the method to search 3D null-points in coronal magnetic fields reconstructed based on observed magnetograms of two active regions (NOAA AR 10488 and AR 10720). We find that the 3D null-points seem to be a key element to the magnetic topology associated with flare occurrence.

Type
Contributed Papers
Copyright
© 2006 International Astronomical Union