GENERALIZED HELICAL BELTRAMI FLOWS IN HYDRODYNAMICS AND MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS

The nonlinear, three-dimensional Euler equations can be reduced to a simple linear equation when the flow has helical symmetry and when the flow consists of a rigidly rotating basic part plus a Beltrami disturbance part (with vorticity proportional to velocity or a slight generalization of this). Solutions to this linear equation represent steadily rotating, non-axisymmetric waves of arbitrary amplitude. Exact solutions can be constructed in the case of flow in a straight pipe of circular cross-section. Analogous results are obtained for the incompressible, non-dissipative equations of magnetohydrodynamics. In addition to a rigidly rotating basic flow, there may exist a toroidal magnetic field varying linearly with radius.