An adaptive finite element method for magnetohydrodynamics (Q5906367)

The authors describe a finite element discretization for two-dimensional MHD where the elements are triangles with piecewise linear basis functions. The main computational difficulty is the accurate calculation of the current, and the most effective solution is to employ a current-vorticity advection formulation of the equations. Acceptable results can also be obtained with a two-step calculation of the current from the vector potential. Mesh operations are described to reconnect and refine the mesh adaptively in the vicinity of nearly singular currents to improve magnetic flux conservation. Example computations of the coalescence instability, tilt mode, and divertor tokamak equilibrium illustrate the method.