In this paper we investigate the use of the vector potential as a means of maintaining the divergence constraint in the numerical solution of the equations of Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) using the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method. We derive a self-consistent formulation of the equations of motion using a variational principle that is constrained by the numerical formulation of both the induction equation and the curl operator used to obtain the magnetic field, which guarantees exact and simultaneous conservation of momentum, energy and entropy in the numerical scheme. This leads to a novel formulation of the MHD force term, unique to the vector potential, which differs from previous formulations. We also demonstrate how dissipative terms can be correctly formulated for the vector potential such that the contribution to the entropy is positive definite and the total energy is conserved.
On a standard suite of numerical tests in one, two and three dimensions we find firstly that the consistent formulation of the vector potential equations is unstable to the well-known SPH tensile instability, even more so than in the standard Smoothed Particle Magnetohydrodynamics (SPMHD) formulation where the magnetic field is evolved directly. Furthermore we find that, whilst a hybrid approach based on the vector potential evolution equation coupled with a standard force term gives good results for one and two dimensional problems (where dAz/dt = 0), such an approach suffers from numerical instability in three dimensions related to the unconstrained evolution of vector potential components. We conclude that use of the vector potential is not a viable approach for Smoothed Particle Magnetohydrodynamics.
Smoothed particle magnetohydrodynamics has reached a level of maturity that enables the study of a wide range of astrophysical problems. In this review, the numerical details of the modern SPMHD method are described. The three fundamental components of SPMHD are methods to evolve the magnetic field in time, calculate accelerations from the magnetic field, and maintain the divergence-free constraint on the magnetic field (no monopoles). The connection between these three requirements in SPMHD will be highlighted throughout. The focus of this review is on the methods that work well in practice, …
We present Phantom, a fast, parallel, modular and low-memory smoothed particle hydrodynamics and magnetohydrodynamics code developed over the last decade for astrophysical applications in three dimensions. The code has been developed with a focus on stellar, galactic, planetary and high energy astrophysics and has already been used widely for studies of accretion discs and turbulence, from the birth of planets to how black holes accrete. Here we describe and test the core algorithms as well as modules for magnetohydrodynamics, self-gravity, sink particles, H_2 chemistry, dust-gas mixtures, phy…
We present a novel method of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) within the smoothed particle hydrodynamics scheme using the Geometric Density average force expression (GDSPH). GDSPH has recently been shown to reduce the leading order errors and greatly improve the accuracy near density discontinuities, eliminating surface tension effects. Here, we extend the study to investigate how SPMHD benefits from this method. We implement ideal MHD in the Gasoline2 and Changa codes with both GDSPH and traditional SPH (TSPH) schemes. An constrained hyperbolic divergence cleaning scheme is employed to control the …
Smoothed particle magnetohydrodynamics for simulations of galaxy and cosmic structure formation
Lorentz Institute for Theoretical Physics, Leiden University(莱顿大学洛伦兹理论物理研究所);Leiden Observatory, Leiden University(莱顿大学莱顿天文台);Instituto de Astronomía teórica y experimental-Conicet(理论与实验天体物理学研究所-阿根廷国家科学研究委员会);Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba(科尔多瓦天文台,科尔多瓦国立大学)
We present a meshless method for magnetohydrodynamics by evolving the vector potential of magnetic fields. A novel scheme and numerical techniques are developed to restrict the divergence of magnetic field, based on the Meshless Finite Mass/Volume with HLLD Riemann solver for conservative flux calculation. We found the magnetic field could be stabilized by a proper smoothing process and so the long-term evolution becomes available. To verify the new scheme, we perform the Brio-Wu shock tube, 2D and 3D Orszag-Tang vortex and Magnetorotational Instability test problems. Our results suggest that …