Computation of axisymmetric MHD flows in a channel with an external longitudinal magnetic field

A numerical study of two-dimensional plasma flows in coaxial channels of plasma accelerators is presented. Two new results are obtained. First, for the computation of MHD problems belonging to the class under consideration, Zalesak's method is used. It is based on an explicit finite difference scheme with flux correction. This method is free of space splitting, and, therefore, is well suited for parallel computations on multiprocessors. Second, the statement of the problem is extended so that the acceleration of the plasma by the azimuth magnetic self-field goes on in the presence of an external longitudinal field. The results of test computations demonstrate the efficiency of the method and made it possible to investigate the influence of the longitudinal field on the properties of the plasma flows.