Fragmentation of magnetically-supported, weakly-ionized molecular clouds

We follow the evolution and fragmentation of isolated, magnetically-supported, weakly- ionized, self-gravitating molecular clouds in three dimensions. Although the model clouds are supported by the magnetic field, high-density, magnetically-supercritical fragments form due to the drift between the ions and the neutrals, ambipolar diffusion. To follow the evolution of the model clouds, we extended the publicly-available Zeus-MP code to include the effects of nonideal magnetohydrodynamics and have modified several algo- rithms to improve accuracy and convergence. We present the results of a parameter study which varies the ionization fraction, mass-to-flux ratio, and velocity perturbation in the model clouds.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physics

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Christie, Duncan A.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Mouschovias, T. Ch.
• Stack, John D.
• Wandelt, Benjamin D.
• Looney, Leslie W.

• molecular clouds
• magnetic fields
• ambipolar diffusion
• star formation

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2011 Duncan A. Christie

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/24373

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/24373