Mathematical Modeling of Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability at Tangential Discontinuities in Partially Ionized Plasma: Application to Heliopause Dynamics

2025/06/17 by А.В. Титова, Titova, A. V., S. D. Korolkov +3
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Physics and Astronomy · #Atmospheric Ozone and Climate #FOS: Physical sciences #Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics #Plasma Physics (physics.plasm-ph) #Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics #Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR)

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2506.14343

openalex publication_date 2025/06/17 · openalex created_date 2025/10/18 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

The stability of the heliopause, the tangential discontinuity separating the solar wind from the interstellar medium, is influenced by various processes, including the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. This study investigates the role of charge exchange collisions between protons and hydrogen (H) atoms in reduction of the Kelvin-Helmholtz growth rate at the heliopause. Using a two-dimensional gasdynamic model with the inclusion of H atoms, we perform numerical simulations of the plasma flow near the heliopause flanks. We conduct a parametric study by varying the Knudsen number. Our results indicate that charge exchange collisions play a crucial role in suppressing the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. As the Knudsen number decreases, the flow transitions from an unstable regime to a smoother state.

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