In
plasma physics, the magnetic topology of a plasma is the structure and linkage of its
magnetic field
A magnetic field is a vector field that describes the magnetic influence on moving electric charges, electric currents, and magnetic materials. A moving charge in a magnetic field experiences a force perpendicular to its own velocity and to ...
.
The magnetic topology of a plasma can be changed through
magnetic diffusion Magnetic diffusion refers to the motion of magnetic fields, typically in the presence of a conducting solid or fluid such as a plasma. The motion of magnetic fields is described by the magnetic diffusion equation and is due primarily to induction an ...
and
reconnection. In the limit of a large
magnetic Reynolds number, however, diffusion and reconnection of the magnetic field cannot occur, and the magnetic topology is preserved.
See also
*
Helmet streamer#Pseudostreamers
References
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Plasma theory and modeling