David Pontin's Homepage

The main focus of my research is magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) modelling of three-dimensional magnetic fields, with applications to astrophysical plasmas. I am particularly interested in the theory of magnetic reconnection in three dimensions. I am part of the MHD research group - click here to visit the MHD Group Homepage.

I was recently awarded a Philip Leverhulme Prize.

Contact details

Room: 1.43C
Phone: +44 1382 38 4466
email: dpontin 'at' maths.dundee.ac.uk
Address: Division of Mathematics, University of Dundee, Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN, United Kingdom

Resistive relaxation of a line-tied, initially braided, magnetic field - see Pontin et al., A&A, 525, A57 (2011)

Recent publications

• For a complete list of publications, see here

• Pontin, D. I. Theory of magnetic reconnection in solar and astrophysical plasmas,
  to appear in Phil. Trans R. Soc.

• Wilmot-Smith, A. L., Pontin, D. I., Yeates, A.R. and Hornig, G. Heating of braided coronal loops,
  A&A, 536, A67 (2011). [doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201117942] arXiv preprint

• Galsgaard, K. and Pontin, D. I. Current accumulation at an asymmetric 3D null point caused by generic shearing motions,
  A&A, 534, A2 (2011). [doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201117532] arXiv preprint

• Pontin, D. I., Al-Hachami, A. K., and Galsgaard, K. Generalised models for torsional spine and fan magnetic reconnection,
  A&A, 533, A78 (2011). [doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201117250] arXiv preprint

• Pontin, D. I. Three-dimensional magnetic reconnection regimes: A review,
  Adv. Space Res., 47, 1508-1522 (2011). [doi:10.1016/j.asr.2010.12.022] arXiv preprint

• Galsgaard, K. and Pontin, D. I. Steady state reconnection at a single 3D magnetic null point,
  A&A, 529, A20 (2011). [doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201014359] arXiv preprint

• Pontin, D. I., Wilmot-Smith, A. L., Hornig, G. and Galsgaard, K. Dynamics of braided coronal loops. II: Cascade to multiple small-scale reconnection events,
  A&A, 525, A57 (2011). [doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201014544] arXiv preprint

• Wilmot-Smith, A. L., Pontin, D. I. and Hornig, G. Dynamics of braided coronal loops. I. Onset of magnetic reconnection,
  A&A, 516, A5 (2010). [doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201014041] arXiv preprint

• Al-Hachami, A. K. and Pontin, D. I., Magnetic reconnection at 3D null points: effect of magnetic field asymmetry
  A&A, 512, A84 (2010). [doi:10.1051/0004-6361/200913002] arXiv preprint

List of presentations

Teaching and Admin

• MA12001: Mathematics 1B (algebra component)
• MA32002: Mathematical Methods
• MA41006: Mathematics of Fluids and Plasmas 1
• MA40001: PTS and Project (Matlab component)


• Adviser of Studies (Division of Mathematics)
• Secretary of the Staff-Student Committee
• Divisional representative on the General Council of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society

Misc animations

• Flux and fieldline animations for kinematic models of reconnection in 3D, at null points and in their absence.
• Animations of dynamic reconnection in the presence of a magnetically connected null point pair, in an incompressible geometry (for Pontin & Craig, 2006).
• Animations of a perturbed 3D null point.

Links

• MHD Group Homepage, University of Dundee.
• Division of Mathematics, University of Dundee, Scotland.
• Solar theory group homepage, University of St Andrews, Scotland.
• Mathematics Department, University of Waikato, New Zealand.
• Space Science Center, University of New Hampshire, USA.

Go to Division of Mathematics homepage.