Topological Methods for the Analysis of Solar Magnetic Fields

"Topological Methods for the
Analysis of Solar Magnetic Fields"

Dana W. Longcope

	Abstract
1	Introduction
2	Field Lines and Null Points
	2.1	Magnetic field lines
	2.2	Physical significance of magnetic field lines
	2.3	Magnetic discontinuities
	2.4	Null points
	2.5	Topological changes: Reconnection
3	Footpoints and Footpoint Mappings
	3.1	Anchoring and line tying
	3.2	Field extrapolation
	3.3	Footpoint mapping as a dynamical constraint
	3.4	Topological models of anchored fields
4	Magnetic Charge Topology Models
	4.1	The photospheric field
	4.2	Skeletons
	4.3	Connectivity
	4.4	Applications
5	Pointwise Mapping Models
	5.1	Mapping discontinuities: Coronal fans and bald patches
	5.2	Quasi-separatrix layers
6	Submerged Poles Models
	6.1	The method
	6.2	Comparisons with observations
	6.3	Separatrices and QSLs
7	Coronal Null Points
8	Topology of the Heliospheric Magnetic Field
	8.1	The solar wind
	8.2	Open/closed boundaries
	8.3	Magnetic clouds and coronal mass ejections
9	Conclusion
10	Acknowledgements
	References
	Footnotes
	Figures