Stability and dynamics of a flux rope formed via flux emergence into the solar atmosphere

Abstract

We study the stability and dynamics of a flux rope formed through the emergence of a twisted magnetic flux tube into the solar atmosphere. A three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulation has been performed to investigate several key factors affecting the dynamics of the flux rope. The stability of the flux rope is examined by deriving the decay index of the coronal magnetic field surrounding the flux rope. We investigate a transition between the quasi-static and dynamic states of the flux rope through an analysis of the curvature and scale height of emerging magnetic field. A practical application of this analysis for global eruptions is also considered. © 2013. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.