Simulations of Early Universe Magnetohydrodynamics
PHYS-717 / 2 credits
Teacher(s): Invited lecturers (see below), Schober Jennifer Waltraud
Language: English
Frequency
Only this year
Summary
The course will cover some fundamentals of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) theory with hands-on sessions to learn the basics of MHD simulations using the open-source Pencil Code (http://pencil-code.nordita.org/).
Content
This minicourse on "Numerical simulations of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) in the early Universe" is offered during the fourth week of the program "Generation, evolution, and observations of cosmological magnetic fields" at the Bernoulli Center.
The course will cover some fundamentals of MHD theory as well as phenomena relevant to the highly relativistic plasma that fills the early Universe. These phenomena include decaying MHD turbulence, dynamo instabilities related to the chiral magnetic effect, and production of primordial gravitational waves from decaying MHD turbulence. A main part of the course are hands-on sessions to learn the basics of MHD simulations using the open-source Pencil Code (http://pencil-code.nordita.org/).
The course is open to EPFL students and young researchers participating in the program (PhD students and postdocs). Senior researchers from other fields who are interested in learning MHD simulations are also welcome.
Note
Dates: 21.05.24 to 24.05.24
Lecturers: Jennifer Schober, Alberto Roper Pol
Keywords
Magnetohydrodynamics, Numerical Simulations, Early Universe
Learning Prerequisites
Required courses
Basic Python knowledge, Electrodynamics, Fluid Dynamics, Cosmology/Astrophysics
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- to setup simulations of magnetohydrodynamics problems with the Pencil Code and to analyze the simulation data with python routines.
Resources
Bibliography
Pencil Code website: https://pencil-code.nordita.org/
Bernoulli program "Generation, evolution, and observations of cosmological magnetic fields": https://indico.cern.ch/event/1334236/
Moodle Link
In the programs
- Number of places: 45
- Exam form: Oral (session free)
- Subject examined: Simulations of Early Universe Magnetohydrodynamics
- Lecture: 16 Hour(s)
- Exercises: 16 Hour(s)
- Type: optional