Axisymmetric magnetic vortices with swirl (Q426142)

The problem of an axisymmetric flow with swirl and toroidal magnetic field is studied. The velocity of a thin-core vortex ring with swirl and magnetic field is obtained that generalizes the classical result of Kelvin and, especially, of \textit{W. M. Hicks} [Phil. Trans. (A) 192, 33--100 (1899; JFM 30.0680.03)]. It is also shown that the spherical vortices, for which the Hicks equation is linear, move at a velocity determined by three constants (these may reduce to the Hicks-Moffat vortices and HM eddies if one takes the appropriate limit of no magnetic field and no swirl). There may be other solutions, no longer of spherical character. The numerical solution shows that these may be spheroidal solutions. Numerical simulations, using controur dynamics method designed for this problem, show the creation of counter-propagating vortex dipoles. The approximate dipole solutions are also found. A number of generalizations are possible. Further investigation is needed for the contour dynamics of unsteady magnetic vortices. It is interesting to observe that the equations governing vorticity and pressure were both known to Hicks in 1899 and have been successively rediscovered over the years.