STATIONARY SYMMETRICAL MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC FLOWS

The problem of translation symmetric stationary magnetohydrodynamic (M HD) flow is analyzed with respect to the different permitted flow regi mes. A minimal set of equilibrium functions is constructed facilitatin g the complete explicit solution in the case of self-similar flow. It is found that limiting line and Alfven singularities leads to a divisi on in four distinct velocity regimes which cannot be connected by cont inuous flows. Instead, the three types of MHD shocks appear, enabling the system to pass from the high to the low speed regimes. (C) 1997 Am erican Institute of Physics.