Finding the mechanism of wave energy flux damping in solar pores using numerical simulations^⋆

¹ Centre for mathematical Plasma Astrophysics (CmPA), KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200B Bus 2400, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
e-mail: juliamaria.riedl@kuleuven.be
² Astrophysics Research Centre, School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, UK

Received: 18 December 2020
Accepted: 16 February 2021

Abstract

Context. Solar magnetic pores are, due to their concentrated magnetic fields, suitable guides for magnetoacoustic waves. Recent observations have shown that propagating energy flux in pores is subject to strong damping with height; however, the reason is still unclear.

Aims. We investigate possible damping mechanisms numerically to explain the observations.

Methods. We performed 2D numerical magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations, starting from an equilibrium model of a single pore inspired by the observed properties. Energy was inserted into the bottom of the domain via different vertical drivers with a period of 30 s. Simulations were performed with both ideal MHD and non-ideal effects.

Results. While the analysis of the energy flux for ideal and non-ideal MHD simulations with a plane driver cannot reproduce the observed damping, the numerically predicted damping for a localized driver closely corresponds with the observations. The strong damping in simulations with localized driver was caused by two geometric effects, geometric spreading due to diverging field lines and lateral wave leakage.